Knee Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision, which dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized as pes planus, hallux valgus, plantar callus, and bunion with first metatarsal phalangeal joint degenerative joint disease, is found to be at least as likely as not related to his active service.,The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities are also found to be at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left knee disability due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the severity of his condition prior to June 15, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left knee disability and has not had one at any time during or approximate to the pendency of her claim.,The Board also denied service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left ankle disability and has not had one at any time during or recent to the filing of the claim.,Service connection was denied for a right ankle disability due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his PVD and PAD, contributed to his death from ischemic cardiomyopathy. The criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's secondary service connection claim for dry eye syndrome is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including instability, meet the criteria for separate initial 20 percent ratings from August 30, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, a lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran has not been diagnosed with bilateral upper extremity neuropathy or any other condition related to his service. His claims for hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, TBI, lumbar spine disorder, lower extremity conditions, and knee disorders are being remanded as well.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to comply with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination opinions and failure to address specific evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for right knee, neck, and acquired psychiatric disabilities (to include PTSD). The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left lower leg scar was rated at 10 percent prior to February 4, 2021 and at 20 percent thereafter.,TDIU was denied as the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a combined disability rating of 70 percent due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of an adequate opinion addressing the impact of flare-ups on his knee, ankle, and foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee disorder, lower back disorder, and bilateral shin splints due to evidence of current disorders during the period on appeal and potential service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated based on their instability and limitation of motion. The left knee has received increased ratings, while the right knee remains at a 10 percent rating.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, back disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorder due to insufficient reasoning in the August 2021 VA opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU/DEA benefits related to his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of lower back, right lateral leg, and right knee disorders as secondary to his service-connected epididymitis due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and active service or service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination reports and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's service-connected spondylolisthesis with sciatica is being considered for aggravating his knees, and an opinion on whether his hands and feet joint disabilities are related to service will be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on his right ankle sprain was withdrawn during the August 2021 hearing.,Claims for hypertension and ED, both secondary to PTSD, were denied in November 2016. No new evidence has been submitted that could reopen these claims.,Claims for left knee condition and right knee condition were also denied in December 2016. Again, no new evidence has been submitted that could reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his right ankle sprain rating was denied.,Service connection for IBS was granted.,Service connection for fibromyalgia was denied.,A 20 percent disability rating, but no higher, was granted for the left ankle condition. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating based on this appeal.,The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen claims of service connection for numbness, muscle and joint pain, migraines, memory loss, and lower back conditions.,Claims for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were also remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a meniscal tear and patellar or quadriceps tendon rupture, is rated at 60 percent effective October 4, 2021. The rating takes into account the current manifestations of instability and limitation of motion.