Knee Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of bilateral hip, knee, and big toe conditions due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disorder, allergic disorder, gynecologic disorder, and bilateral knee disorder were denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her lumbar spine disability was granted with a current rating of 20 percent.

The Board has ordered a remand due to an inadequate medical opinion in the November 2019 VA examination report. The Veteran's right knee strain disability is being reviewed for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his total left knee replacement is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee arthritis, back condition, and bilateral foot neuropathy as secondary to mild osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine have been denied. The Board found that there is no direct link between the current conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a greater than 10 percent rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and medical opinion regarding the appellant's left knee condition. The pension claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board denied service connection for neck, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee conditions due to inadequate medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and denied service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent for limitation of motion and instability, with a TDIU granted. The Board finds the prior version of Diagnostic Code 5257 more favorable to the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disability, headaches, respiratory disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left eye disability, and right eye disability. Additionally, an updated VA examination is needed for his service-connected psychiatric disorder and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's cataracts were denied as the evidence did not show that they began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The chloracne was granted as it became manifest within one year of his separation from service and is presumed due to herbicide exposure.,Asbestosis and COPD were both denied as there was no evidence showing that the conditions began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, along with other disabilities, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from May 17, 2014. He is also entitled to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate for this period.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia patella with instability was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his adjustment disorder and physical conditions like sleep apnea, headaches, joint pain, and neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 28, 2014 to June 6, 2016.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain is granted a 20% rating from March 8, 2016. His initial ratings for IVDS and radiculopathy are granted as requested. TDIU is granted from January 16, 2013 to March 8, 2016. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral tinea pedis and tinea unguium have been granted. The right knee disability claim is remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee disabilities and acquired psychiatric disorders, are sufficiently severe to render him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability due to an inadequate VA examination. A new medical opinion is needed that considers the appropriate facts of the Veteran's medical history and whether his left knee diagnosis is related to service.