Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's initial rating for left total knee replacement residuals from August 4, 2018 to September 2, 2021 was granted at a higher level of 60 percent.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he did not cooperate with the VA examinations and failed to provide medical records, resulting in a lack of sufficient evidence to decide his claims.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a 20% rating for the period prior to September 29, 2020, and a 60% rating as of November 1, 2021. The decision also addressed his total replacement residuals.

The Veteran's right knee limitation of flexion is rated at 10 percent, and a separate 10 percent rating for instability is granted. The higher rating request for limitation of flexion was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as asthma. The Veteran's right little finger disability is not rated higher than non-compensable.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all issues related to her service-connected knee and ankle disabilities, as well as her TDIU claim prior to August 31, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for his right and left knee disabilities due to new evidence received since the February 2015 decision. The claims are now pending for further development.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a separate 10 percent rating.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, manifested by chronic sleep impairment and secondary to service-connected left knee conditions, is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether his right knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea are related to his service-connected left knee disability or in-service symptoms. The VA is directed to obtain updated treatment records, provide an addendum opinion from a clinician on both issues, and readjudicate the cases.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete service records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA need to be documented, and updated VA treatment records should be obtained.

The Board has determined that the remand was not adequately addressed in previous examinations and requests an addendum opinion to clarify whether the Veteran's current right knee condition is related to his service, including his reported pain during service.

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

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her back disability. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for bilateral knee disability and back disability with associated radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and scar post-spinal surgery are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee osteoarthritis. The case is now remanded to address service connection for a right knee disability secondary to his service-connected left knee joint osteoarthritis.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the statutory duty to assist and remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected right knee disorder.,Specifically, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disorder (limitation of motion) is being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral hamstring and left calf disability, or pain resulting in functional limitation, during or contemporary to the appeal period.,Therefore, the claim for service connection for a bilateral hamstring and left calf disability is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 20 percent rating from March 1, 2016, to January 9, 2018, for partial meniscectomy with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion; flexion better than 45 degrees, extension full.