Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral foot conditions, left and right knee disabilities, as well as the issue of TDIU prior to April 24, 2020. The issues are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate statements of reasons or bases in the previous decisions. The issues include determining if the September 2021 VA opinion is adequate and addressing whether increased ratings are warranted based on flare-ups, medication effects, instability, and meniscal tear.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder and left knee disorder, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions neither had their onset in nor are they otherwise related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's left knee PFS disability was previously rated at 30 percent, and a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion beginning June 14, 2022. The claim for an initial compensable rating prior to June 14, 2022, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The decision denied entitlement to a compensable rating prior to October 29, 2020 and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected TBI beginning October 29, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of August 19, 2013, for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his major depressive disorder is denied. The symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extraschedular TDIU prior to April 29, 2011, finding that his service-connected disabilities alone did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for consideration of whether a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is warranted due to his service-connected disabilities prior to March 30, 2010.

The Board denied increased ratings for left and right knee degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle disorders, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ is to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain and left knee strain have been rated under the appropriate VA rating criteria. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.,Service connection for rhabdomyolysis and sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development and clarification of certain medical information. The issues include evaluating left knee disability, including pain in weight-bearing, use of medication, and flare-ups, as well as service connection for primary vitiligo which was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and thoracolumbar spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service. The medical evidence does not support a finding of nexus between these conditions and his service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as a left knee disability, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The remand requires new VA opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to address his current symptoms and diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims in a written correspondence.

The Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU from May 31, 2018. The appeal is remanded for further consideration of the claim for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and foot disorders, as well as shoulder disorders, all secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective October 24, 2019. Ratings for left and right knee disabilities are denied prior to June 16, 2015, and granted from that date.