Knee Board decisions

An increased rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is granted from December 6, 2011.,Service connection for a skin condition (fibromatous type changes and keloid) is granted. The Veteran's current disability includes bilateral cataracts and glaucoma secondary to diabetes mellitus.,PTSD claim dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,Bilateral hearing loss claim dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,Service connection for bilateral cataracts, bilateral glaucoma, kidney infection, bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral knee pain, bilateral ankle pain, obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and lower back pain is remanded. Service connection for sciatica is also remanded.,An increased rating for diabetes mellitus secondary to cataracts and glaucoma is remanded.,Service connection for kidney infection is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral shoulder pain is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral knee pain is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral ankle pain is remanded.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is remanded.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded.,Service connection for lower back pain is remanded.,Service connection for sciatica is remanded.

The Veteran's left hip arthrosis is not rated compensably, as the range of motion does not meet criteria for a compensable rating under DCs 5251-5253. However, he is already separately rated at 20 percent for residuals of left femur fracture.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records, including private orthopedic and physical therapy records, and seek an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by pain and limited flexion to no more than 80 degrees with flare-ups, was found not to warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. For left cervical adenopathy, the disability did not meet criteria for a compensable rating since August 18, 2014. For right knee disorder, there was no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition that could be linked to current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee and right foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is asked to provide additional medical records, undergo a VA examination, and have his private treatment records reviewed.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left knee instability was granted, with a 20 percent rating effective January 11, 2016. The appeal is denied for a rating in excess of 20 percent from February 7, 2021.

The Veteran's service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (DM), left below knee amputation associated with DM, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy was granted on a presumptive basis based on exposure to herbicide agents. The effective date of these benefits is July 2, 2013.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied as the liberalizing law that allowed for this type of service connection became effective June 19, 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for stage 3 breast cancer and a compensable rating for scar, right knee status post knee replacement are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acute promyelocytic leukemia, low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and high blood pressure have been granted. The evidence provided a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's left knee partial meniscotomy and excision of the popliteal cyst are rated at 20 percent prior to November 24, 2020.,A separate 20 percent rating is granted for residuals of the left knee partial meniscectomy.

Service connection for a right knee disorder is granted. Service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is remanded.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for rating increases and service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee issues are a continuation of symptoms he experienced during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee osteoarthritis and left eye disability due to inadequate development in previous examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left hand, left knee, and right knee conditions due to missing service records. The Veteran will need to provide updated treatment records and undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected status post left knee ACL reconstruction and for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected left leg neuropathy prior to December 9, 2015, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter due to outstanding VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disorder is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. A new VA examination is needed.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for rating purposes, necessitating further development to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hip and bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete VA medical opinions and outstanding records.