Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hand disability, lumbar spine disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the onset or causation of these disabilities during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address functional loss during flare-ups and instability.

The Veteran's right hand condition, thoracolumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral knee disability are all granted. The Veteran is also awarded a higher rating for his service-connected right hand condition.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he died during its pendency.

The Board has granted separate 20 percent ratings for right knee locking and left knee locking. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for genu varum with recurrent dislocation of the right patella has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The claims for left and right knee disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous VA medical opinion regarding aggravation of the right knee disability by the service-connected left knee condition. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with an earlier effective date of August 11, 2003 for the 20 percent rating assigned for her right knee meniscus condition and a 10 percent rating assigned for her right knee arthritis. Service connection for a left knee disability is also granted.

The Veteran's left knee lateral meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis have been rated, with the highest available rating of 30 percent for instability since July 31, 2015. A separate 20 percent rating has also been granted for 'locking,' pain, and effusion into the joint from August 10, 2021. The Veteran's limitation of flexion is rated at a 10 percent level as of August 7, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and back disabilities are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left ankle disability due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for limitation of flexion of the left knee with traumatic arthritis was denied. However, he received a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability. The decision upholds these ratings.

The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection, thus denying reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from March 4, 2017 to December 14, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and left knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a spine disability and left knee disability due to insufficient evidence from recent examinations. Additional medical records, including those from Social Security Administration (SSA), are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and right knee disability, finding that additional medical opinions are needed to address whether these conditions are related to her service-connected left knee disability or if they had their onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral wrist disability and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset in service. The Veteran is required to undergo an examination to determine if he currently has a bilateral wrist disability, including osteoarthritis of the wrists, and whether his current right knee disability is related to falls aboard the ship during service.