Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee conditions and left knee genu recurvatum.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and left knee arthritis due to incomplete development and need for new medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they are currently rated at 70 percent.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a 20 percent rating. Right lower extremity radiculopathy and right knee strain remain at their current ratings of 10 percent.

Service connection is granted for bilateral knee disorders, lumbar spine disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as due to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board also found that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, hip, and elbow disorders are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and disability rating determinations. The Veteran's appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has found that further development is needed for the claims of service connection and initial disability evaluation for left knee strain, degenerative disc disease (lower back), left hip degenerative joint disease, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's service records show he was injured in 1980 while playing basketball, which may be related to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the inability to obtain his service treatment records and personnel files. The AOJ is instructed to contact relevant departments and request these records, document all efforts made, and provide the Veteran with an opportunity to submit any additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder was granted a TDIU effective April 11, 2017. The appeal for the TDIU prior to that date is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left and right knee degenerative joint disease, as well as her claim for a TDIU prior to August 4, 2020. The VA will need to provide new examinations that address the Veteran's reported instability symptoms.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and convalescent ratings were denied. He was granted temporary convalescent ratings for his right and left knees, as well as SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and PTSD due to failure of the Veteran to report for VA examinations scheduled in November 2018. The Veteran was provided an opportunity to reschedule the examinations but did not do so without good cause.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for an increased rating of left knee disability before the decision was made. The case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis, is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and other musculoskeletal issues. The decision is pending further review.

The Veteran's right foot bunions, corns, and calluses are related to service.,The Veteran's left foot bunions, corns, and calluses are related to service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,A separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (including sleep disturbances and PTSD), back condition, and left knee strain due to service-connected right knee strain. The claims are being returned for further development including new examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities were denied. The initial rating for right knee limitation of extension was denied prior to September 1, 2022, with a final rating of 30 percent effective from that date.,The initial rating for left knee limitation of extension was denied prior to September 1, 2022, with a final rating of 30 percent effective from that date. From September 1, 2022, the Veteran's claims were granted at a 30 percent rating for both knees.,The initial ratings for instability of the right and left knees were denied prior to February 18, 2021, with separate 10 percent ratings effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disability is remanded due to incomplete range of motion testing results. The case will be scheduled for an appropriate VA examination.