Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The claim for left knee disability has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the issues of rating and secondary service connection remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and lumbar spine disabilities were denied because he failed to report for the scheduled VA examinations without showing good cause.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed as he has withdrawn the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and major depressive disorder is remanded due to inadequate prior examination, and a new opinion is required.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to noise trauma sustained during service. Service connection is also granted for tinnitus. However, the right knee degenerative arthritis disease status post arthroscopy claim remains pending due to a need for additional examination.

The Veteran's left hip limitation of flexion is not limited to 45 degrees or less, which does not warrant a separate compensable rating.,The Veteran's left hip impairment of the thigh and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are currently rated at their maximum schedular ratings (20% and 10%, respectively), so higher ratings are not available for these conditions.,There is no evidence of ankylosis or other pathology such as femur fracture or flail joint, which would allow for a rating under DCs 5250, 5254, or 5255.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for left knee instability prior to June 21, 2021 was denied. Effective May 16, 2016, the Veteran is granted TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims during a hearing. The claim for TDIU has been granted.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 40 percent, which does not meet the threshold schedular requirement for a TDIU. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims of service connection for low back and bilateral knee pain, finding no new and material evidence that would support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a right knee disability due to incomplete evidence from a VA examination. The claim will be reviewed again after the requested examination results are received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are secondary to his service-connected left ankle degenerative arthritis. However, due to incomplete information in the claims file, a new VA examination is required for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disorder, left calf disorder, and right knee disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions. The VA will need to verify all periods of service, obtain STRs and SPRs, and provide new VA examinations to determine if the current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before final adjudication of the claims on appeal, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee, ankle, and foot disabilities are related to his active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence linking the current left knee disability to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder. The conditions are found to be related to in-service occurrences.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, dry eye syndrome, right knee disorder, and tinnitus as there is no persuasive evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence. The issues are seeking higher ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The reduction in the evaluation of right knee instability from 30% to 10% is proper, and restoration of a separate 10% rating for painful, limited flexion is granted. The initial ratings for degenerative joint disease and meniscus repair, as well as for each specific condition (instability, painful, limited flexion, and painful, limited extension), are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.