Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, including degenerative arthritis. The issue of service connection for an extrinsic respiratory defect is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and inextricably intertwined issues of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, finding that his preexisting knee conditions were not aggravated by or related to active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to procedural errors and to obtain a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's stress fractures of the left and right tibia, as well as his knee and ankle conditions, have been granted increased ratings. Service connection has also been established for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his left knee disabilities is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and adjudicative action due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has denied reopening of the claims for service connection for left hip arthritis, left knee arthritis, and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine with bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy due to lack of evidence relating these conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient medical records, specifically physical therapy records for the right knee and right shoulder. The Veteran is asked to provide or authorize release of any missing private treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for COPD. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiac disorder, left knee disorder, and left ankle disorder are denied. The claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral lower extremity disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection. The Appellant's testimony and medical records will be reviewed to determine if there is a link between his current conditions and military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a left knee disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities, low back disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran is also being asked to provide a new VA examination for his surgical scars, right knee.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 20 percent rating from January 19, 2011 to January 21, 2016. His left knee disability received a 20 percent initial rating from January 19, 2011 to July 5, 2019. From July 5, 2019, he was granted a 10 percent rating for his left knee due to limitation of motion and denied any higher rating for subluxation.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including psychiatric disorders, hip disabilities, shoulder and knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, foot disabilities, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities, and sleep apnea due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded a VA examination for his service-connected left knee disability and to obtain private medical records for his increased rating claim. The matter is being remanded due to these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypothyroidism, sinusitis, and chondromalacia of the right knee are being remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the issue of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs assistance with daily activities, but a VA examination is required to determine if this need is solely due to her service-connected conditions.

The Board denied increased ratings for left knee limitation of flexion and extension due to patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as a separate rating for left knee instability. The Veteran's condition was found not to meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a deviated septum but denied service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran is currently receiving a 10% rating for his service-connected right foot hallux valgus.