Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity to preclude substantially gainful employment. Additional VA examinations and medical opinions are needed to determine the impact of her service-connected conditions on her employability.

The Veteran's service-connected eczema, hypothyroidism, right knee lateral instability, left knee lateral instability, right shin splints, and left shin splints have been granted. The Veteran's depression has also been granted an increased disability rating of 70 percent from June 22, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee disability, to include as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability, and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate nexus opinions from an August 2019 VA examiner. The claim will be remanded again with instructions to obtain an addendum opinion.

The Board has determined that the previous opinions were inadequate and requires additional examinations to determine if the Veteran's left knee arthritis and bilateral foot disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for cysts, testosterone disability, and facial scars were dismissed. The claim for service connection for a right knee disability was reopened due to new evidence, but the appeal remains pending as it is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for right and left knee tendonitis/tendinosis were denied. The claim of SMC based on the need of aid and attendance of another person was dismissed.,Both knees are currently rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5260 (limitation of flexion).

The claims for service connection for a low back disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, right knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and substance use disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, esophageal disorder (GERD and hiatal hernia), and erectile dysfunction are all remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The claims for service connection for a low back disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, right knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and substance use disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, esophageal disorder (GERD and hiatal hernia), and erectile dysfunction are all remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for service-connected right ear serous otitis media with hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating, and thus remanded the cases of his right wrist condition, right knee condition, and lower back condition.

The Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy, left and right lower extremities; degenerative joint disease, left knee; and plantar calcaneal bone spur, left foot are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability to include degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The claims for initial ratings for left knee disability (meniscal impairment) and left hip disabilities were remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand, right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee strains are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to increased ratings for various conditions, including PTSD, shrapnel wounds, and fragment wounds. The appeal was also dismissed regarding the effective date of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the issues of rating in excess of 20 percent for right scapula disability, rating in excess of 30 percent for right leg length discrepancy, and rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disabilities (limitation of flexion). The issue of a compensable rating for right knee disability (limitation of extension) is also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as hip condition), and a back disability as secondary to her service-connected shin splints.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral dysfunction with degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions had their onset during active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims of service connection for sleep apnea and kidney cancer were remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain an examination and provide a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his service. The Veteran reported injuring his left knee during basic training, but no VA examination was conducted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for panic disorder and alcohol use disorder with TBI, entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD, entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee status post ACL repair and meniscal tear, and entitlement to a compensable evaluation for right knee surgical scar.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD and bilateral knee disabilities are found to be at least as likely as not a cause for why the Veteran required assistance with activities of daily living. The VA has made errors in obtaining relevant medical records, and thus remand is necessary to obtain these records and provide an addendum opinion.