Knee Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand four of the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions. The claims include service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an examination that complies with the Board's June 2021 remand directives and determining if a separate rating under DC 5261 (limitation of extension) is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome was dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his request.

The Veteran's knee disabilities are being remanded for further development. The claims of service connection for sinus, pulmonary, and sleep apnea disabilities remain unresolved.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding various service connection claims, including for bilateral hearing loss, left arm condition, lumbar strain, left knee condition, left ankle condition, plantar fasciitis, anxiety condition, migraine headaches, jaw condition, lung condition, bronchitis, pneumonia, cervical strain, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right arm condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, kidney stones, right hip condition, left hip condition, and right ankle condition. The appeals were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees as a residual of right femur and left tibia fractures, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a 30% rating for limited extension since December 3, 2020. The previous ratings for flexion and instability were maintained.

The Veteran's left knee strain was granted a rating of 20 percent from March 27, 2020, for cartilage damage with effusion into the joint, instability, and limitation of extension during flare-ups.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, cervical spine disability, hemorrhoids, and chronic fatigue syndrome (due to Gulf War service). The decision also notes that the Veteran's claim for sinusitis is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remands. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned to VA for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and whether he experiences flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a retrospective VA examination regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically focusing on functional loss from April 26, 2011 forward. The appeal is currently pending further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to inadequate rationale in previous VA opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his lower back, right ring finger, right knee, and right foot disabilities.