Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claimed disabilities, including left upper extremity, bilateral feet, bilateral hips, bilateral knees, bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50% from May 5, 2021 and thereafter. The left knee condition does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as it is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his pure tone thresholds did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities were remanded due to insufficient examination findings regarding flare-ups.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on regular aid and attendance, but the case is remanded to obtain opinions regarding a potential additional disability related to delay in fulfilling the Veteran's request for crutches, wheelchair, and VA orthopedic evaluation after his left knee separated or dislocated. The case is also remanded to determine if the Veteran has an additional disability caused by or aggravated beyond its natural progression by treatment for service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection of various conditions has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran now meets the criteria for service connection for a right knee strain.,Additional development is needed due to the Veteran's complaints of worsening symptoms and lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The case is remanded for further examination and consideration of his bilateral knee disability and left elbow disorder.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10% prior to January 8, 2020 and 10% after that date. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic right knee strain and for a TDIU rating due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded because there is insufficient evidence or need for further development.

The Veteran's left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are productive of painful motion, warranting a 10 percent rating. The appeal is REMANDED for further examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral knee disabilities and for an opinion on the etiology of any left foot impairment.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations and evidence review. The rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, status post bowel resection, left below the knee amputation, and depression due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities contribute in substantial part to a vocational impairment, and he has not overcome the effects of such impairment. The criteria for a determination that the Veteran has an employment handicap for VR&E benefits purposes have been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient development and consideration of evidence, including a lack of nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for disability of the thoracolumbar spine and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's hip and knee conditions are being remanded for further examination and opinion.,His shoulder condition is also being remanded, with a focus on the relationship to his arm numbness.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and left hip disability. The decision also noted that the claim of service connection for a left hip disability as secondary to a left knee disability lacks legal merit.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome. The low back disability claim is remanded due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements.