Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of the Veteran's knee disorders, low back disorder, muscle spasms, neurotoxic exposure, and sleep disorder due to incomplete examination reports and procedural issues.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain and right knee arthritis have been granted a 20 percent disability rating from August 29, 2014 to November 13, 2019. The psychiatric disorder has been granted a 30 percent disability rating for the period from August 29, 2014 to December 15, 2014. The Veteran's testicular cancer residuals have not met the criteria for a higher rating. The scars of the abdomen and inner left thigh have been granted a 20 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further examination and evaluation due to inconsistencies in the range of motion testing.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of initial compensable evaluation for nephrolithiasis, right knee strain, and service connection for lower back disability, left knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, and lower gastrointestinal problems. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain any outstanding records and to schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and left knee disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment since June 26, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, back disability, and migraine headaches. The conditions are found to be at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a right knee disability due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding knee swelling during boot camp and daily training. The case is returned for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's left ankle synovitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left knee conditions was denied. He is currently rated at 10% for limitation of flexion and 10% for instability, with no higher rating allowed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder arthritis and right total knee replacement have been granted service connection, with a 60% disability rating for the right knee effective April 1, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for individual unemployability was denied due to a failure to timely file a substantive appeal within the required time frame.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and bilateral knee disabilities due to evidence indicating worsening symptoms. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected left ankle instability, status-post stabilization surgery. A disability rating of 10 percent for the left knee disability is granted from April 1, 2021. Service connection for a closed head injury is granted as secondary to his service-connected left ankle and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for a separate rating for left knee instability due to lack of evidence of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The right knee osteoarthritis, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound, and TDIU claims are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service injury and concluding that any such injury would not have led to long-term complications.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the lack of legible documents and recent medical records. The Board will review these new pieces of evidence before making a decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence not previously considered by the AOJ.