Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's increased rating claim for left knee strain with instability was denied as the evidence did not show a current disability that warranted an increase in his existing 20% evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus tear and left knee instability have been granted increased ratings, with the right knee receiving a 30% rating for limitation of flexion and extension, and the left knee receiving a 30% rating for limited flexion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to attempt to locate and retrieve medical records from her primary care provider.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding in-service injuries and a private physician's opinion linking his current conditions to military service.

New evidence has been submitted supporting the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, right knee, left third finger, and right fourth finger disabilities. These cases are remanded to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability prior to October 27, 2017. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with this issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's right knee tendonitis during periods of flare-ups. The VA examiner did not provide a retroactive estimate of functional loss based on the Veteran's reports at the June 2017 VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is rated at 40 percent effective February 14, 2017. The right knee strain with arthritis remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's left knee disability, including rating determinations and TDIU determination. The specific reasons for these remands are not provided in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, PTSD, right knee disability, left knee disability, erectile dysfunction, and higher ratings for lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and residuals of TBI have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking any current conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left leg and knee condition, instability, and meniscal condition have been granted. He is now rated at 30 percent for the combined conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability, left knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea as these conditions were already granted in a previous rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination reports and failure to consider his lay statements regarding the onset of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, Type II, left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, diverticulitis, sepsis, residuals of breast cancer, status post double breast mastectomy, and mastectomy scars. The Veteran's representative has requested that the VA examine her for these conditions to determine their relationship with her service-connected total hysterectomy, removal of uterus and both ovaries.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent since April 19, 2021. The RO denied an increased rating for the service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease and knee strain.

The Veteran's MDD and bilateral knee disabilities have been granted a rating of 70 percent, effective May 31, 2016. A TDIU has also been granted from that date.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability. The issues include rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome and higher staged ratings for episodes of locking, pain, and effusion prior to July 15, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's discitis with osteomyelitis is related to her service-connected residuals of compression fracture L3, with post traumatic DJD and lumbosacral strain. The examiner should also determine if the Veteran requires aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability but has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of in-service documentation and need for additional development.

The overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount $19,646.87 is partially valid; reimbursement of payments is not warranted.