Knee Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeal of entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability. The effective date for the award of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis was denied as it is not earlier than September 23, 2014. A compensable evaluation for migraine headaches was denied. For the period prior to March 2, 2020, a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine disability with associated radiculopathy was granted; however, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for right wrist disorder and total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided are inadequate and requires new opinions to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his knee conditions.,Separate ratings higher than 10 percent are denied for non-LOM symptomatology in both knees.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and right knee osteoarthritis, finding an approximate balance of evidence supporting the Veteran's claims.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right knee condition is related to service, as he reported intermittent symptoms since basic training.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that more development is needed for the Veteran's service connection claims, including VA examinations and consideration of additional evidence. The claims are being remanded to allow for this.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and its impact on his ability to work prior to November 24, 2020.

The Veteran's low back, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity due to inadequate previous evaluations.

The Board has denied an increased rating for total left hip replacement and remanded the TDIU claim due to lack of compliance with VA examination scheduling requirements.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issues of service connection for left knee and right ruptured tympanic membrane disabilities, as well as the issue of a compensable rating for the right ear condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a cervical spine disorder, as well as addressing whether the Veteran's current knee disabilities are related to his military service. The issues of service connection for right and left knee disabilities remain denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, including a meniscal tear and tendinopathy, did not begin during service or be related to any in-service injury or disease. The most persuasive evidence of record does not support finding that the current left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent from November 7, 2022. The right knee disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and TDIU due to unemployability prior to January 29, 2015. The reasons include deficiencies in the November 2022 examination report and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for back and left knee disabilities due to new evidence suggesting a worsening of symptoms since previous examinations.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for osteoarthritis of right knee, right hip, and back. The claims are being remanded to obtain VA treatment records, SSA records, and private treatment records as well as an addendum VA opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right knee arthritis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for right knee arthritis (limitation of flexion) prior to June 15, 2018 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for right knee arthritis (limitation of extension) from April 24, 2012 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for status post right total knee replacement is denied.