Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and the need to obtain outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disability, IBS, and right groin strain to obtain a medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has ordered a new examination and opinion due to inconsistencies in the previous examination report. The Veteran's right knee disability, including both meniscal tear and strain, is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and failure to comply with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of right ankle, left knee, and right knee disorders due to inconsistencies in the VA examiner's opinions regarding these conditions. The cases are pending further development and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for hypertension and degenerative joint disease of the left knee, as well as the claim for TDIU due to the need for additional evidentiary development. The Veteran's representative has raised the issue of unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney withdrawing his appeals for several issues.,The Veteran's appeal was also dismissed for service connection claims related to an undiagnosed illness, fibromyalgia, a right knee disability, and a back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (MDD), right knee strain and osteoarthritis, left knee strain and osteoarthritis, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are based on direct evidence of a relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, other than bipartite patella, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current condition was incurred during his active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected chronic tonsilitis with pharyngitis.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his post-surgical conditions and instability, is currently rated at 30 percent. A temporary total rating for one year following the left total knee replacement has been granted.

The Veteran's right shin splints and right knee osteoarthritis have been rated, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed foot conditions, as the current examination does not adhere to the correct legal standard in addressing whether they were aggravated beyond their natural progression during service.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the prior remand directives and requires another remand for further development, including an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's current knee disabilities had their onset in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and follow a substantially gainful occupation, effective July 18, 2017.

The Veteran's left knee instability and low back disorder were granted increased ratings, while the right knee limitation of motion issue was remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and need for a new medical opinion.

The Veteran was found unable to maintain substantial gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities from May 1, 2009 to May 1, 2010 and from July 22, 2010 to present.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the Veteran's request for higher ratings for his knee disability and entitlement to a total disability rating due to service-connected disabilities. The specific issues include seeking an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for a right shoulder disability and entitlement to a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B, tinnitus, and shoulder disability were dismissed. The claim for jaw condition was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Bilateral hearing loss was not found as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability under VA regulations.