Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities were denied over the entire appeal period.,A rating in excess of 10 percent was not granted for chondromalacia of the left knee, based on limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions due to inadequate previous examinations and failure to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his treatment during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Specifically, his right shoulder disability remains at a 40 percent rating, while left knee and TBI issues are pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claims for skin condition, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate opinions.

The Veteran's initial disability rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted prior to August 10, 2022. The appeal regarding the lumbosacral strain (low back disability), left knee strain, right knee strain, left knee instability, and right knee instability issues remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected back, right ankle, right bicep, and left knee scars disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity. The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder condition, left elbow condition, and right elbow condition are also being remanded for VA medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and a left knee disorder, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent disabling for total replacement from September 1, 2021. The appeal was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee DJD and total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The claim for service connection is pending, while the TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of cooperation from the Veteran and insufficient examination findings. The Veteran is required to undergo new examinations for his sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, right arm disorder, low back disability, bilateral hip disabilities, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's condition is related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate since August 10, 2017 due to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability. Prior to this date, SMC was denied as his other service-connected disabilities did not combine to reach a rating of 60 percent.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for various conditions, including left ankle disability, knee disabilities, right middle finger disability, fibromyalgia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The underlying claims are now remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 50 percent for headaches has been granted. Other claims have been reopened and are pending further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to difficulties in scheduling VA examinations because he is incarcerated.

For the period prior to November 26, 2018, a 10 percent rating for painful motion of the right knee is granted.,Beginning November 26, 2018, a 30 percent rating for limitation of flexion of the right knee is granted. The Veteran's right knee disability increased in severity after this date.,For the period prior to January 16, 2021, a 20 percent rating for limitation of extension of the right knee is granted. For the period beginning January 16, 2021, TDIU based on service-connected disability is remanded.,TDIU was denied as the Veteran was working full-time prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for its finding of substantial compliance with the April 2019 Board remand directives, specifically regarding the Veteran's lay statements about her knee pain and functional impairment.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including post-operative residuals of a meniscectomy and DJD, is currently rated at 40 percent effective November 9, 2022. A separate initial 20 percent rating has been granted for the status post arthroscopic meniscectomy with DJD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions, malaria, residuals of a left thigh wound, and left thigh scar are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right knee, and left knee conditions due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.