Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the condition presumed due to combat exposure in Vietnam.,Service connection for pulmonary fibrosis is granted based on herbicide agent exposure during service. The Veteran also has hypertension and left knee disability that are remanded for further review.,Diabetes mellitus, Type II, is granted as service-connected based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical opinions are not adequate, necessitating further clarification of the medical evidence regarding the etiology and pathophysiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee sprain, left hip limitation of flexion, left hip limitation of extension, and left hip strain require further examination to determine their current severity. Additionally, a TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for proper notice and development.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorder, as the current evidence does not provide clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition preexisted service or that it was aggravated in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back injury and head injury have been reopened, with new evidence showing current diagnoses of lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as well as continuity of symptoms since in-service injuries. The claim for bilateral hearing loss has not met VA criteria.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, residuals of head injury (including memory loss), and headaches have been remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are granted. Service connection is also granted for diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder degenerative joint disease is denied.

The Veteran's initial 60 percent disability rating for service-connected gout is granted, and a separate 10 percent rating for each knee due to shin splints is also granted. The appeal regarding tinnitus, increased ratings for the bilateral foot disability, TDIU, and service connection for shin splints is remanded.

The Board denied a separate rating for left knee instability after February 7, 2021, as the provisions of Diagnostic Code 5055 do not allow for such a rating when total knee replacement is already assigned.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for lower back disability was granted. His claims for increased ratings and separate ratings for knee subluxation or instability were also granted, but the issue of service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities remains remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, hypothyroidism, back disability, right arm disorder, left arm disorder, left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has established service connection for these conditions based on exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the evidence and need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for right knee limitation of flexion and extension are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostatitis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, and right knee condition are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral knee disabilities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder) as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes cavus. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee strain were denied as the evidence did not show that his symptoms more closely approximated flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees, even during flare-ups.,VA examinations conducted in October 2016 and July 2020 found no significant functional loss or range of motion impairment due to pain or instability.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, lateral meniscus tear and chondromalacia of the patella. The other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective August 9, 2016. The Board has determined that a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the right knee strain with osteoarthritis is warranted due to worsening since the last VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete development. The Veteran's records, including imaging studies and community care records, need to be associated with the file.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal.