Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability was denied for ratings in excess of the assigned 30 percent and 60 percent prior to March 15, 2019 and from March 15, 2019 to October 21, 2020. Effective October 21, 2020, a 60 percent rating was granted for the right knee disability.,The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability was denied for ratings in excess of the assigned 10 percent and 30 percent from January 1, 2018 to March 14, 2019 and from March 15, 2019 to October 20, 2020. Effective October 21, 2020, a 60 percent rating was granted for the left knee disability.,The Veteran's service-connected left ankle degenerative arthritis was denied for ratings in excess of the assigned 10 percent prior to October 21, 2020 and a 20 percent rating was granted effective October 21, 2020.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and atopic dermatitis on the posterior trunk.,Service connection was granted for atopic dermatitis on the posterior trunk.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence linking current hearing loss to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of injury in either knee while in service, and a new medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and heart condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in the record.,Specifically, the Board requested addendum opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his right hand skin disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to incomplete development of records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal, neurological, and respiratory conditions due to incomplete development of records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disabilities and TDIU due to inadequate examination and potential issues with competency of the examiner.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for postoperative pilonidal cyst, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) secondary to his service-connected postoperative pilonidal cyst, and service connection for back, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral hips, and bilateral knees are also being remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to his service-connected postoperative pilonidal cyst. An addendum opinion will be required to address this issue.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for direct service connection of her right knee, left knee, and left hip disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her active duty service.,There is no medical evidence showing that any of the Veteran's knee or hip disabilities were present during her military service.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the Veteran not meeting the DSM-5 criteria. The case is remanded for further examination of his right knee and bilateral hearing loss disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected scars and right knee disability due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran is also entitled to a new examination for his right knee.

The Board has determined that the evidence is inadequate to resolve these claims and remanded them for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, knee, ankle, and psychiatric disorders due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination. The Veteran is asked to provide any relevant medical records and treatment information.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to his active duty.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee and ankle conditions, as well as his bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus. The claims for service connection are being addressed, along with rating increases and initial ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for bilateral upper extremity conditions are being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary due to inconsistencies in the May 2022 examination report and the need for a new examination. The issues of rating excessively rated right and left knee disabilities, as well as TDIU, are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, disability of the back, left knee disability, and right knee disability to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.