Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, including arthritis, were granted service connection. Service connection for low back disability and bilateral shin splints is remanded. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is also remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability. The case is being remanded to allow for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for an initial higher rating for his right knee disability, and the reopening of service connection claims for left knee and right ankle disorders are remanded due to pending VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition, right knee condition, and blood condition due to inadequate VA examinations. The new examinations are needed to determine if these conditions began in or are otherwise related to his military service, including exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of service connection claims, including an examination to address the Veteran's assertions regarding his in-service heavy lifting.

The Veteran's psoriasis form dermatitis is rated at 10 percent, the maximum allowed under current regulations. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right knee meniscotomy and limitation of flexion are both rated at their maximum allowable ratings (10% and 30%, respectively). There is no basis for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain, finding that the Veteran's disability manifested by painful motion without flexion limited to 45 degrees or less. The claim was not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for knee, back, and neck disabilities due to incomplete medical records and the need for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as his unemployability is primarily due to other factors such as a felony conviction and non-service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the service-connected left knee disability and provide a retrospective opinion on its severity from March 31, 2016 to current. The issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to August 12, 2021, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter for the service-connected left knee disability, as well as entitlement to a TDIU prior to March 4, 2020 remain on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in the previous decision regarding the right knee disorder and its relation to service.

The Board has found that more development is necessary and has remanded the cases for further review. The Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, right knee disability, and increased evaluation for left knee disability are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for consideration.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's leg length discrepancy likely pre-existed his military service and was not aggravated by it.

The Veteran's right knee conditions have been rated based on limitation of motion and instability, with the most recent rating decisions denying higher ratings for his chondromalacia patella and instability.,The Veteran was denied a higher rating for his right knee conditions as they do not meet the criteria under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, effective from March 19, 2014. A TDIU was also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him disabled to the extent that he requires regular aid and assistance of another person, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance from August 7, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a low back disorder and effective dates prior to May 27, 2015 for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome has been dismissed.,A 50 percent rating is granted for migraines since January 14, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for disorders of the spine, bilateral hips, and bilateral knees is denied due to untimeliness.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need to obtain additional records from his treatment at the Hampton VA Medical Center.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error. The issues of right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being addressed on the merits.