Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for arthritis of the hips, legs, and knees was granted. The issues of service connection for other joints were also remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes a total left knee replacement, is currently rated at 60 percent. The Board denied an increased rating for the condition prior to March 29, 2021 and denied any increase in rating beginning from that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his left ankle disability, bilateral knee condition, and vascular condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at the highest schedular rating available (40%) from October 8, 2020. The left knee disability remains rated at the highest schedular rating available without violating the amputation rule. TDIU has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations, specifically lacking information on pain levels during range of motion testing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and fallopian tube disability, including infertility. The evidence did not show a current disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The rating for his total left knee replacement is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not related to service. The Veteran's right shoulder disability was also denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service injuries and his current condition.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions due to lack of medical evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, bilateral eye pterygium, and left wrist disorder were denied. The Veteran's claim for right arm disorder was remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, lower back, and upper back disabilities due to outstanding medical records not being associated with the claims file.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and a higher rating for PTSD due to new evidence added since the last decision. The AOJ must consider this new evidence and properly adjudicate the claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and treatment records. The Veteran's back disability, right knee disability, and eye condition are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to January 1, 2014 were denied due to his failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations without showing good cause.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under current criteria.,Service connection for lumbar spine condition, bilateral hip conditions, bilateral knee conditions, and left ankle condition are denied as these disabilities are considered congenital defects that were not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and adjustment disorder with mixed emotional reaction (claimed as depression), are denied. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and lumbar strain are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chondromalacia of the left knee was denied as her disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right knee meniscal tear is granted a separate 20 percent rating, but no higher. The left knee meniscal tear is denied as the Veteran had a total knee replacement and does not have a current condition warranting a separate rating.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral knee disabilities, as well as whether they are related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which includes prosthetic replacement of the knee joint with chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness, is rated at 60 percent from August 1, 2010 to March 7, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hernia of the abdomen and groin, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral arthritis of the knees and arms due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will need additional VA examinations to address his service connection claims.