Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed because the AOJ has already granted a total disability rating for his left knee arthroplasty from August 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion. Since October 4, 2021, a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for slight instability of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding records and need for addendum opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD and right knee disability have been granted a 100 percent rating, and he is receiving SMC based on housebound status for the entire appeal period. The TDIU claim has been mooted as his PTSD alone meets the criteria.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically whether they are related to service, including running on concrete in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee condition and remanded it for further development. The claims for increased ratings for dysthymic disorder and right knee disability, as well as TDIU, are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and left knee conditions, have worsened to the point where he requires constant use of an ambulatory device for walking. The Board finds a remand necessary to assess the severity of these conditions and their impact on daily activities.

The Veteran's right knee disability, arthritis with limited range of motion post-total replacement, is rated at 60% effective November 12, 2019. Other disabilities are also rated and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for colon perforation has been granted, and the issue of service connection for diabetes, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of various musculoskeletal disorders, including bilateral knee and shoulder disorders, lumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder. The issues are related to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee, bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since January 13, 2009. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU on this basis.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and patellar instability, is currently rated at 20 percent since August 29, 2021. The rating reflects the severity of her symptoms, which include pain, swelling, and functional limitations.

The Veteran's right knee was granted a 10 percent rating for degenerative changes, postoperative and osteoarthritis and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee prior to February 11, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected acne is remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records.,The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to June 24, 2020, is also remanded as it may be impacted by the grant of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU since October 2, 2015. The hypertension claim is remanded for updated blood pressure readings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Veteran was granted a 100% disability rating from January 15, 2020 to March 1, 2021 for the left knee disability based on the implantation of prosthesis.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service-connected.,For the period prior to January 2021, a higher rating for left knee flexion disability was denied. For the period from January 2021 onwards, a higher rating for left knee extension disability was also denied. A separate rating of 20 percent for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability was granted from December 2019. The Veteran's left knee scar is not compensable.

The Veteran's right knee strain and instability have been rated at the lowest possible levels due to the lack of evidence showing more severe symptoms or impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and temporary total disability ratings due to incomplete examination reports, specifically lacking estimates of range of motion during flare-ups or after repetitive use. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new medical examinations.

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.