Knee Board decisions

The appeal to reopen service connection for various knee and foot disabilities is granted. However, the preponderance of evidence does not support finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with lumbar degenerative spine disease, status post-surgical repair of right shoulder, chondromalacia of right knee, and chondromalacia of left knee (status post meniscus tear). The remand is due to the Board's reliance on May 2018 VA examinations that did not comply with Correia v. McDonald and Sharp v. Shulkin.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for right knee instability and meniscal tear with anterior cruciate ligament tear have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal of TDIU as the claim was granted in a previous rating decision, and there are no remaining questions of law or fact to be decided.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates of January 31, 2020 for his service-connected left and right knee instability ratings as the Veteran had already elected administrative review through a Higher-Level Review (HLR) decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional records and compliance with prior Board directives regarding informed consent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and compensation were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain and bilateral knee strain, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his combat service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's right knee DJD with osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent from October 21, 2014 to October 9, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was denied as he failed to provide the required VA Form 21-8940, Application for Increased Compensation Based on Individual Unemployability. The Board found that the Veteran has not met his burden of establishing that he is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied as there is no evidence of current tinnitus or a diagnosis thereof.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), erectile dysfunction, left knee condition, right hip condition, and hypertension have all been remanded due to incomplete development in the schizoaffective disorder claim.

The Veteran's right knee meniscal disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating for dislocation of semilunar cartilage. The Board has granted a higher rating than initially assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as obstructive sleep apnea, have been granted. The appeal is denied for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA examinations and a need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability prior to March 3, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral ear disorder, but the claims for low back, left knee, bilateral hip, and sleep apnea disorders are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a right knee disability and determined that he is entitled to service connection based on new evidence showing continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's PTSD, back, knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded for additional development to determine their current severity.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his left knee disability, specifically during flare-ups prior to April 2019.