Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of explanation regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee, ankle, and hand conditions.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from March 5, 2018. The Board has also remanded the case for an extraschedular TDIU determination prior to March 5, 2018.

The Board has granted a separate evaluation for instability of the left knee, but has remanded the issue of an increased rating for service-connected left knee strain due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is caused or aggravated by her service-connected right knee, lumbar spine, and bilateral pes planus disabilities.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood is granted a 30 percent rating, effective from the date of his hearing in February 2021. His left knee disability remains at 20 percent for limitation of motion.

The Veteran's left knee disabilities, including instability, flexion limitation, extension limitation, dislocated semilunar cartilage, and symptomatic surgical residuals, are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent for each condition. The effective date is not specified as it pertains to a partial grant of benefits.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability was granted with an effective date of January 23, 1981. The rating assigned is 10% from that date to July 25, 2017 for the left foot disability and from April 25, 2016 onwards.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of her condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to service. The claims include service connection for left calf, knee, lumbosacral spine, lower extremity radiculopathy, and any acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the issue of an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder, but denied the TDIU claim as the Veteran was employed full-time prior to March 20, 2019.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss claims are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that would support service connection.,The Veteran's right knee condition claim is remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran's arthritis is at least as likely as not related to service.

Service connection is granted for degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 30 percent rating, with no higher as his symptoms do not meet criteria for a 50% or higher rating. Entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial compensable evaluations are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. Specifically, VA treatment records from the VA Outpatient Clinic in Conroe, Texas need to be obtained.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of her right knee degenerative joint disease as secondary to her service-connected right foot hallux valgus.

The Veteran's right knee ligament strain and instability have been granted a 10% disability rating, effective from March 30, 2012, through August 21, 2013. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for a right ring finger residual scar is denied, as the current noncompensable rating adequately reflects the severity of the disability.,Service connection for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, stroke, bronchitis, and right knee injury and numbness are all denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to incomplete development of evidence, including obtaining workers' compensation records and additional VA treatment records. The RO is also requested to obtain qualifications information on the April 2021 VA examiner if deemed necessary.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left knee degenerative joint disease, as well as his claim for service connection for hypertension due to lack of recent VA treatment records and need for further examination.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand directives and has therefore ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee and lower back disabilities are related to his military service.