Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases of right and left knee osteoarthritis for further development due to inadequate examination in July 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and evidence not being considered in determining whether the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions are related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent for gouty arthritis of the right elbow, bilateral knees, and bilateral ankles has been dismissed due to his withdrawal.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease, formerly patellofemoral chondromalacia, prior to August 8, 2022, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of motion sufficient to warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.

The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, hemorrhoids, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are all found to be service-connected.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's diagnosed conditions based on their direct relationship to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on his right knee condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions remain unresolved and require further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings in various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran requested their withdrawal prior to a Board decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disability. The VA needs to obtain a new opinion from an appropriate examiner.

The Veteran's right knee disability rating was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is remanded. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder) is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders due to a lack of medical records from Dr. Buller, who indicated that the Veteran had been his patient for many years. The Veteran also sought to reopen his claims under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes osteoarthritis and a torn ACL, has not been found to warrant a higher rating than the current 30 percent assigned since it does not meet the criteria for extension limited to more than 15 degrees or flexion limited to less than 15 degrees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot, left knee, and right hip injuries due to a lack of proper procedural steps in the legacy appeal system.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability. The left knee disability claim is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic bronchitis is denied. The initial ratings for PTSD are granted at 70 percent since July 18, 2013 and the TDIU claim is granted effective July 18, 2013. Other service connection claims are remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected right knee scar was denied as the scar did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7805.,The Board found that the Veteran's right hip and left knee conditions are related to his service-connected right knee condition, but remanded for additional opinions on whether these conditions are aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various lower extremity and spinal disorders due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service injuries are not addressed, nor is secondary service connection considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an initial compensable disability rating for sialoadenitis status post partial parotidectomy, and an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The AOJ is required to obtain further examination and opinion regarding these claims.