Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee instability is now rated at 30 percent effective March 10, 2017. His chondromalacia patella continues to be rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his disabilities of the low back, left knee, and right knee due to medical questions remaining and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip/groin disability, bilateral knee disability, and constipation are not resolved. The case is being remanded to obtain VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran was granted a 60 percent disability rating for residuals of total right knee replacement from May 1, 2019 to September 17, 2019.,A higher 60 percent disability rating was also granted from January 1, 2020.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability rating, service connection claims, and TDIU based on his withdrawal of appeal.

The Veteran's back disability is granted a 20 percent rating effective November 26, 2019. The right shoulder and right knee disabilities are denied higher ratings. Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. A TDIU determination has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for lower back pain, right knee pain, and left knee pain due to incomplete records from the Veteran's active service. The VA will need to search all relevant record repositories and obtain any available STRs.

The Board has dismissed the claim for nonservice-connected pension from July 8, 2019 and after as moot due to the Veteran's service-connected disability rating. The claim is remanded for additional development regarding pension prior to July 8, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish an in-service stressor related to posttraumatic stress disorder, and denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 26, 2021 and thereafter for right knee instability, and entitlement to a compensable rating for right knee limitation of extension. The Veteran's claim for increased rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis and patellar spur was remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability on a direct incurrence basis and remanded his secondary service connection (aggravation) claim.

The Veteran's left knee and ankle disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent under applicable VA regulations.,The Veteran's left knee disability, despite chronic pain with flare-ups, has been found to retain near full range of motion. The left ankle disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of instability or frequent episodes of locking.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities, including a request for increased ratings and whether new evidence supports reopening a right ankle fracture claim. The VA will conduct examinations to assess current disability levels and provide an SOC on the reopened issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting right knee disability did not worsen during service, and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case. The Veteran and his representative will be provided an additional SSOC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand, wrist, and knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between her current diagnoses and her military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining VA and non-VA medical records, as well as Social Security Administration disability benefits records. The Veteran's right leg disability and left knee condition are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated based on the severity of his symptoms and impairment. The appeal is remanded as there are issues with the rating for different periods.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee and lumbar spine disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, consistent with his level of education and prior employment history. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right knee tendinitis (limitation of flexion), and lumbar strain due to inadequate examinations. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee status-post total arthroplasty is currently rated at 50 percent from August 1, 2015. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.