Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee disability and entitlement to a Total Disability Rating for Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 10, 2012 due to inadequate VA examinations and conflicting medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been denied. Additionally, his facial scars prior to April 15, 2022, tinnitus, and headaches have also been denied.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development, including service connection claims for various conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea, heart disease, and foot disabilities. The Veteran's STRs are unavailable, which may affect the adjudication of these claims.

The Veteran's initial rating of 10% for the left wrist disability is denied, and a separate 20% rating is granted for right knee instability. The right knee meniscus disability receives a 20% rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his claims, granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD with other specified depressive disorder, but denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The reduction of the Veteran's right knee disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent is void ab initio, and the 20 percent rating is restored.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and panic/anxiety disorder), a low back disability, a left knee disability, a left shoulder/arm disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee, shoulder, foot, and shin splints disorders due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service injuries and treatments will be considered by VA medical experts.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new VA examination to evaluate her service-connected right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as to consider the revised rating criteria effective February 7, 2021. The Veteran is also requested to provide a legible copy of an October 2011 VA knee examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), concluding that there were insufficient verified stressors to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, PTSD, and substance abuse disorder due to willful misconduct. The claim for cataracts is remanded as it involves exposure to herbicides or chemicals.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's arthritis did not begin during his active duty or within one year after discharge. The evidence showed no chronic knee problems in service and no continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for left and right knee strain, finding that new evidence supports these claims.

The Veteran's left knee strain status post-surgery, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), bilateral pes planus, right Achilles' tendonitis, and sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The cervical spine disability has not been established as related to active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left foot, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left hip disability has been reopened, and the rating reductions from 20 percent to 10 percent effective August 1, 2017 for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were found improper. The 20 percent ratings are restored.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, subject to further development on remand issues.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been granted service connection. His depressive disorder has also been granted.,A 100% disability rating for CAD is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for left knee tendonitis, limitation of extension, and TDIU due to new evidence or development being required.