Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right hip and knee disabilities due to inadequate previous examinations. The Veteran was also asked if he wishes to withdraw appeals on certain issues.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity and cubital tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity are not considered secondary to service-connected lymphatic lymphoma.,Service connection for DJD of the left knee is granted as it is caused by service-connected lymphatic lymphoma. Service connection for osteoarthritis of the left elbow is also granted under the same reasoning.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development, specifically a need for a new examination of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity disabilities are found to have caused his current left hip and left knee disabilities, which are granted as secondary to the service-connected conditions. The issue of TDIU is dismissed due to the effective date already being assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent for limitation of flexion. The Board has granted this rating effective August 24, 2015. However, the issue of a higher or separate compensable rating for other aspects of the left knee disability remains pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating of his right knee arthritis has been remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous examination. A new VA examination by an orthopedist is required.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7101.,The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left knee is rated at 40 percent, with no higher rating available based on flexion limitation. The Veteran has other service-connected conditions that prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is rated as 30 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for limitation of flexion of the leg.,The criteria for a higher disability rating are not met for the period after January 27, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore the criteria for TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on instability or limitation of motion, but granted a 20 percent rating for semilunar cartilage dislocation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right shoulder and knee conditions, depressive disorder, and lumbosacral strain, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 31, 2015. The Board denied the temporary total evaluation for the right shoulder disability and granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder condition and left knee strain are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and separate compensable ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional information from examiners. The issues of right knee disorder, hernia, muscle fatigue, bladder and urinary symptoms associated with mechanical low back pain, and bowel symptoms associated with mechanical low back pain are being addressed.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder, left ankle, right knee, and left knee disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not include bilateral knee conditions, so they are ineligible for a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, right knee sprain, and right knee instability were denied. The rating for PTSD was not granted as the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating. Ratings for right knee sprain and instability prior to September 4, 2019, and since that date, were also denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Both right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each due to painful motion.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for back, left knee, left wrist, and left shoulder disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. Further development is needed.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition and left knee condition, due to a lack of recent VA examinations and missing medical records.