Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a neurological disorder of the bilateral lower extremities and a bilateral knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at a 60 percent rating for chronic residuals of the left knee, including severe painful motion. Separate ratings are granted for instability (10%), frequent episodes of pain, locking, effusion and crepitus (20%), limitation of flexion (20%), and limitation of extension (10%).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's additional disability of right knee residuals was not caused by VA's negligence or similar instance of fault, and thus denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for his right knee surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since September 8, 2008. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and right knee disabilities have been denied. The current rating of 40 percent for the service-connected low back strain with DJD L5-S1 and DDD and severe neural foraminal stenosis is maintained, as are the separate ratings for symptomatic removal of right knee cartilage (20 percent) and lateral instability (10 percent).

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for further development, including obtaining an examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical strain, residuals of a head injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to procedural deficiencies. The Veteran's tinnitus and degenerative joint disease of the knees have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected scar, post pilonidal cystectomy and right knee osteoarthritis are being remanded for new VA examinations to determine the current severity of her conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) for the issues of entitlement to an initial rating greater than 10 percent for right knee meniscal tear and left knee ACL tear.

The Board has remanded the claims for hernia, surgical scar associated with a hernia repair, left knee condition, and bilateral hand condition due to incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran's service treatment records and lay statements are considered in determining whether her conditions are related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them for further development. The issues of service connection are now pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD and a rating in excess of 20 percent as of September 1, 2012, for right knee instability following an incomplete VA examination. The case is now back before the Board.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the September 2022 VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination report. The examiner did not provide estimates of functional loss, failed to consider flare-ups or analogous episodes, and did not address whether there are times when the Veteran’s functional loss is consistent with ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete development, including a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide updated medical records and must be scheduled for further VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The Board found no evidence of a current skin condition related to service, denied service connection for diabetes, and continued denial of service connection for a skin rash on face.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a bilateral eye disorder is dismissed. The issues of left leg and left knee disorders are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to service or his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran will need a new examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee conditions due to inadequate examination opinions.

The claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims.,The claims for service connection for tinnitus and right ankle disorder have been reopened, but are still pending as remanded issues.