Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and clarification of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations, and further development is needed for both left knee and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, Wegener's Granulomatosis (GPA), neck disability, and osteoarthritis of multiple parts due to insufficient examination reports.,The Veteran is currently service connected for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.

The Board has determined that there was no substantial compliance with the remand directives and has therefore ordered further development for the claims of service connection for left knee, left shoulder, CAD, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep impairment, right knee impairment, and left knee impairment have been granted. A rating of 10 percent has been assigned for right-side facial sensory loss and numbness.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 21, 2021. The Veteran's ankle disabilities have been increased to 30 percent each.,The Veteran's surgical scar of the left ankle is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability have been granted service connection. The right knee disability has also been granted a higher evaluation from March 1, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral athlete's foot but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability due to lack of sufficient medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the issues of initial ratings for various foot, ankle, knee, and shoulder conditions since April 1, 2011. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain private medical records from providers who treated him after April 1, 2011, and any relevant VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. The evidence showed no chronicity of symptoms in service and no post-service treatment until many years after separation.,The Board also denied service connection for a left knee disability, noting that there was no chronicity of symptoms in service and no post-service treatment until many years after separation.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities were denied for increased ratings, but granted with specific ratings based on limitation of extension and instability.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral hip and knee disorders is dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded, while the claim for an increased rating for pes planus is granted with a 30% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids should be January 16, 2014. The Veteran's claims for allergies, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded for further development.

The rating reduction from 30 percent to 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was improper, and the 30 percent rating is restored. The Board finds that remand is required to obtain adequate VA opinions regarding the Veteran's left ankle and left knee conditions.

The rating reduction of the right knee patellofemoral syndrome from a 40 percent rating to a noncompensable rating was improper and restoration of the 40 percent rating is granted. The Veteran's entitlement to an increased disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome is also remanded.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain missing service records from the appellant's Texas Army National Guard service, as no attempts have been made to contact the Adjutant General of Texas.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination findings and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding pain and functional impairment. The case is returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied as he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular disability rating. The Board found that remand was warranted for additional development and examination regarding his right knee, right knee scars, back, bilateral shoulder disabilities, right hip, and sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, and back condition due to incomplete medical records from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral knee and back disabilities.