Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability and TDIU claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum from a VA examiner regarding the level of severity prior to July 8, 2019.

The Veteran's right knee disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain and persistent depressive disorder, respectively.,However, the claims for migraines, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and shin splints remain pending and will be remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability and denied entitlement to an earlier effective date for PTSD. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted, but only from September 1, 2016.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU effective April 29, 2020.

The Board has determined that the reduction in rating from 70 percent to 50 percent for anxiety with depressive disorder was improper and has restored the original 70 percent rating. The issue of service connection for a left knee disorder as secondary to service connected left foot pes planus and left ankle fracture residuals is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee/leg disability is found to be related to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of right shoulder, ankle, and knee disabilities due to insufficient examination in August 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new medical opinion to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity neuropathy. The issues of an increased rating for left knee arthritis and left lower extremity neuropathy are still pending, as is the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity disability, including hip and knee issues, is related to his service-connected foot disabilities (metatarsalgia with pes planus and knee osteoarthritis).

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for a right knee disability and for TDIU due to service-connected PTSD. The remand is necessary because the previous examinations did not adequately assess the Veteran's range of motion, and his work history needs to be evaluated.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including right ankle, left index finger, left ankle, and left knee disabilities. The appeal for increased ratings of the right knee disability was also dismissed.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for painful motion and a separate 10 percent rating for recurrent instability. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the status post-ACL repair disability was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an initial rating higher than 20 percent for a cervical spine disability. The remaining issues have been remanded as well.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's back disability is service-connected. The claims for right knee, left knee, and neck disabilities are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's recurrent right knee disability and its relationship to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to outstanding medical records that need to be obtained. The Veteran is also scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current back disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for degenerative joint disease, lumbar strain; bilateral pes planus; and skin condition/rash. The issues of service connection are related to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to active service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is warranted due to worsening symptoms since his last VA examination. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability.