Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's back condition, left knee instability, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome were all granted increased ratings. The left great toe condition was granted a higher rating from November 20, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability, as well as for obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence addressing the continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right hip and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence, including the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of his bilateral knee condition due to new evidence and development. The left hand laceration scar claim is granted with a 10% rating but no higher prior to March 9, 2021.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to the ratings of his service-connected conditions, including degenerative lumbosacral disc disease with sacroiliac joint dysfunction, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left knee chondromalacia patella, right knee chondromalacia patella, left ankle avulsion fracture, and scalp laceration scar.

The Veteran's left and right knee conditions have been rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion, but no higher. The Board denied increased ratings as the evidence did not show flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and upper extremity radiculopathy claims due to the need for retrospective medical opinions. The remaining issues are remanded for readjudication.

The Veteran's right knee instability is granted a separate 10 percent rating. The claim for a higher rating for his right knee strain remains denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously-denied claims for gout of various joints, including right ankle, feet, toes, ankles, knees, hands, and left shoulder, is granted. The appeal includes remanded issues related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected right knee disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for these claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling a new VA psychiatric examination, and determining the proper rating for his right knee conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability caused wear to his upper body garments, warranting a clothing allowance for the back brace. However, there is no evidence of knee braces being used due to service-connected disabilities, so the request for a clothing allowance for bilateral knee braces was denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that the evidence is in at least relative equipoise as to whether the disability was incurred in or related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, psychiatric disability (including PTSD), alcohol dependency/abuse, left eye disability, and memory loss. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee arthritis, reduced extension, and instability due to incomplete information in the February 2021 examination report. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is now considered service-connected.,The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities are now considered service-connected.,The Veteran's OSA is now considered service-connected.,The Veteran's pulmonary disability remains not service-connected.,The Veteran's right wrist and left wrist disabilities remain not service-connected.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left knee, leg, and hand disabilities (other than sciatic nerve pain) as there is no evidence of a current disability separate from the Veteran's service-connected back and sciatic nerve pain.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for deviated septum, obstructive sleep apnea, acid reflux, heart disability (enlarged heart and cardiomyopathy), restless leg syndrome of the right leg, restless leg syndrome of the left leg, and TDIU are REMANDED.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities may have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 2020. The Board has remanded the case to refer consideration of TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability and increased rating for left knee disorder. The Veteran's left knee disorder is currently rated at 50 percent since April 26, 2013.