Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, bilateral pes planus, degenerative arthritis with instability of the left knee, and degenerative arthritis with instability of the right knee are all granted service connection. The Veteran's tinnitus is also granted service connection.,However, chronic fatigue syndrome, right ear hearing loss, a right ankle disorder, and a left ankle disorder remain pending for further review.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination regarding service connection for left and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's claims are related to motor vehicle accidents in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for rating increases for right knee and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations in the previous remand. New VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of these conditions during flare-ups.

The Board has denied service connection for various knee, arm, shoulder, and wrist disorders due to the lack of current diagnoses in the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further examination and opinion are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his hip, knee, ankle, and lumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeals for the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, right wrist condition, right shoulder condition, left knee condition, and low back condition. The Board has dismissed these appeals as per the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for loss of teeth is denied. The Board has also remanded several other issues including the claims for OSA, numbness and tingling in the face, sternocleidomastoid facial muscle impairment, right knee disability, bilateral falling arches (flat feet), left foot degenerative joint disease, right foot degenerative joint disease, migraines and/or headaches, as well as service connection for TMJ.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his right knee disability is remanded due to inadequate examination and the need to consider both old and new rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sarcoidosis, right hip disability, avascular necrosis, osteoporosis, glaucoma (eye disability), a right hand disability, a left hand disability, hypertension, and bilateral foot disabilities. The issues are being addressed due to new evidence associated with his file.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including gastrointestinal, elbow, hip, knee, shin, ankle, and foot conditions. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions at the time of her claims.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and initial ratings for her left knee and hip disabilities was denied. She received a single, increased 50 percent rating for left knee ACL repair with arthritis and ankylosis effective October 21, 2016. A separate 20 percent rating for left knee instability was granted from the same date. Initial ratings of 40 percent and 20 percent were granted for left hip osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion and abduction respectively, both effective October 21, 2016. The Veteran received a 70 percent rating for left hip osteoarthritis with ankylosis from November 11, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a facial disability, left and right knee disorders, sleep condition, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being reviewed due to new evidence received since the last final rating decision.

The Board has vacated the November 2022 decision that granted a TDIU prior to January 27, 2014 due to incorrect application of regulations. The case is now remanded for further review and consideration.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities have been granted. The decision also addressed the issues of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), which was remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back condition, diabetes, hypertension, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disability, left knee disability, and insomnia have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a left knee disability and insomnia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for synovitis of the left knee and lateral instability of the left knee since January 19, 2018 are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 20 percent rating since July 27, 2022. The condition is not service-connected and no new evidence has been presented.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied across multiple conditions, with the exception of a 30 percent rating for GERD granted.