Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent based on residual of his meniscectomy, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral knee arthritis is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion addressing whether his current conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral knee conditions did not manifest in service or within a year of active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a left knee disability was granted. However, the claim for service connection itself remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection due to potential worsening of his bilateral knee condition, PTSD, lumbosacral spine disability, and TDIU. The Veteran is also required to provide VA with any outstanding treatment records from the Prescott VA and Phoenix VA.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain, right knee condition, left knee condition, and vertigo due to incomplete development. The Veteran's request for a hearing was withdrawn, and the Court ordered further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for traumatic arthritis of his right shoulder and left knee are being remanded due to the need for a VA medical examination to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was withdrawn. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizophrenia and PTSD, has been reopened.,A 20 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee with limitation of flexion is restored from August 12, 2018. A separate 10 percent rating for right knee limitation of extension is granted since December 3, 2018. A 30 percent rating for subluxation of the right knee is granted starting from December 3, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine current severity of right knee disabilities, including post-total knee replacement ratings.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, left knee disability, and esophageal disability (Barrett's esophagus).,Service connection was granted for cluster headaches.,TDIU claim was dismissed due to lack of response from the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear ratings for the Veteran's left thumb scar and needs clarification on the effective dates of the assigned ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to May 20, 2020 and at 70 percent thereafter. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,For the period from May 20, 2020 onward, the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the remand directives have not been completed as directed and another remand is necessary to obtain a retrospective opinion on the Veteran's right knee disability throughout the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis with shin splints is granted a 30 percent rating for limitation of flexion. The issue of an initial compensable evaluation for extension remains denied, and the left knee disability is granted a separate 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee scars was granted. The claims for service connection of a left knee disorder and tinnitus were remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for an eye disability, including bilateral myopia, is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for left knee and shoulder disorders, as well as a temporary total disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed sleep, knee, pelvis, and elbow conditions. The initial compensable rating claim for hypertension remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as for service connection for a right ankle disorder and a left ankle disorder, are remanded due to incomplete VA examination reports. The Veteran is also asked to provide any outstanding private or VA treatment records relevant to the claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding PTSD, right knee disability, anxiety, and depression. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and remanded the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and bilateral knee disability.