Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for a right knee scar associated with degenerative joint disease of the right knee, a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and service connection for hypertensive vascular disease. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and consideration.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings in excess of 30 percent for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees as the appellant requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has ordered remand for new VA examinations due to inadequate previous evaluations and requested addendum opinions. The issues on appeal include increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, an initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, and service connection for a stomach condition (GERD).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted.,Prior to December 12, 2003, the Veteran was not found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.,From December 12, 2003, to January 31, 2005, the issue of entitlement to a TDIU is moot as he had a combined rating of 100% and was not permanently housebound.,From February 1, 2005, to February 27, 2019, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.,From February 28, 2019, to April 3, 2020, the issue of entitlement to a TDIU is moot as he had a combined rating of 100% and was in receipt of special monthly compensation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional evidence, as there is conflicting medical evidence regarding the etiology of any left knee disabilities found on examination or diagnosed during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination reports, and a new examination is required to comply with the terms of the joint motion for partial remand.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left knee disability is denied. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a new VA examination. The issues include seeking increased ratings and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for right leg/knee scars, but denied service connection for a right lower leg/knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions regarding service connection for low back, gastrointestinal, and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's claims are not related to service or environmental exposures.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, back disability, and right hip disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a connection to his military service.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability and right shoulder disability are both denied due to lack of in-service injury, illness or event.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain disorder, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, left knee patellofemoral pain disorder, and chronic lumbar strain with facet hypertrophy and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) from specific dates. The claims are remanded for retrospective opinions to determine these issues.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not show limitation of motion severe enough to warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, is granted service connection. The case has been remanded for further action regarding OSA, left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded several issues including rating increases and service connection determinations.

The Veteran was granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period prior to March 31, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection was denied for both left wrist and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence showing their onset during service or being related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthroplasty and meniscectomy, is not rated higher than the current assigned ratings due to lack of evidence supporting more severe functional loss or residual weakness/pain.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, effective August 11, 2009. The decision found that the Veteran's current knee conditions are related to his military service.