Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left femur condition is rated at a 30 percent since May 8, 2017. The Board has remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted. The back, left knee, and tinnitus service connection claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's left knee was rated at 100% due to the need for convalescence following a total knee replacement revision. The rating is granted until February 4, 2017.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a right knee disability, a rating in excess of 30 percent for a left knee disability, and TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left knee disability and heart disabilities. However, these claims are still pending as further medical examination is needed to determine if there is a relationship between the current diagnoses and service.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and a left hip disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and left upper extremity CTS were denied as there was no factual evidence of a worsening in symptoms prior to January 17, 2018.,An effective date of January 17, 2018 was assigned for all claims due to the Veteran's formal claim being received within one year of his Intent to File.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various orthopedic conditions due to new and updated VA treatment records being added to the file.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, migraines, right elbow condition, lower back condition, and right knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA will need to provide additional examinations and obtain further medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from June 2, 2008 to July 26, 2021. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's right shin splint (stress fracture) with bone cyst and associated knee instability have been granted a 10 percent evaluation effective from September 21, 2021. The issue of service connection for Chiari malformation remains on appeal.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on their current functional limitations. The appeals for higher ratings were denied as the evidence did not show that any of the conditions warranted a rating in excess of those currently assigned.

The Board has remanded three issues: evaluating left knee degenerative joint disease, service connection for left and right ankle disorders secondary to the bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained in August 2022 are inadequate and requires further examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right knee and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current right knee disorder is related to his military service. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for cervical strain based on the receipt of new and material evidence is granted. The issues of service connection for PTSD, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, hemorrhoids, right hallux valgus, left hallux valgus, lumbar disc disease and strain, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, right knee tendonitis, and generalized anxiety disorder are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee DJD, a left knee scar, and left knee instability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the other rating claims.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's contention that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection. The VA is instructed to obtain authorization and request relevant private treatment records from the Veteran's former employment with the Bureau of Prisons and his current primary physician. Additionally, the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to identify any current disabilities and determine if they are related to his military service or his service-connected left hip tendonitis and left thigh limitations.