Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for left, right hip, knee, and ankle disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected spine disability and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination for the right knee condition, and the Veteran's claim is sent back for further development.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for increased ratings and TDIU. The Veteran's right knee replacement claim was withdrawn by the Veteran in his hearing testimony. Claims for left knee degenerative arthritis, anxiety disorder, and a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have not been fully developed and requires additional development before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran is granted increased ratings for his left knee conditions, including a separate compensable rating for cartilage condition and earlier effective dates for limitation of extension and flexion.

The Veteran's right knee arthralgia, palindromic rheumatism was granted a 20% disability rating from September 28, 2022. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his claimed joint pain condition, right knee disability, and genitourinary disability. The Veteran is requested to undergo further examination and obtain medical opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on several issues, including service connection claims and a rating for left foot conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, which were necessary to evaluate her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; back disability; right knee disability; left knee disability; and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding service connection and increased ratings, as well as earlier effective date claims for the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for each condition were inadequate and remanded these issues back to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for TDIU due to insufficient consideration of evidence and potential changes in disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability (patellofemoral syndrome with chronic strain) is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has found the VA examination reports inadequate for adjudication purposes and, consequently, there has not been substantial compliance with the prior remand directives such that remand is again required.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right knee disability and TDIU due to failure of the Veteran to appear for scheduled VA examinations. The claims will be remanded again to provide an opportunity for a new examination and obtain a nexus opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since April 11, 2012. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including stomach ulcers, prostate cancer residuals, anxiety and panic attacks, arthritis of the lower back, vision problems, umbilical hernia, high blood pressure, bilateral hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis of the knees. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for anemia and bilateral knee DJD secondary to service-connected PTSD due to incomplete examinations and lack of submission of the requested article.

The Veteran's left knee limited flexion is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects her disability picture based on the provided evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes periostitis and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no significant limitation of motion or instability to warrant an increased evaluation.