Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left hips, as well as chondromalacia patella with internal derangement of torn meniscus and arthritis of the left knee are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left knee condition is rated at 20 percent since November 1, 2012. A separate 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion has been granted effective November 4, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left knee and left hip disabilities due to inadequate examination reports, lack of compliance with court rulings, and need for retrospective findings.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for left shoulder disability, right elbow disorder, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, low back disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his claimed low back, right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service injury or aggravation leading to these current disabilities.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated at 10% for limitation of flexion with painful motion. The Board finds that the claims should be denied as there is no evidence showing more than a 10% disability rating.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for his bilateral knee and feet disabilities due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability but has remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disability to include COPD due to insufficient development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, including scheduling VA examinations for the Veteran's right shoulder and bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including panic disorder with agoraphobia and major depressive disorder, GERD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, diabetes mellitus, type II, patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative changes in the right knee, residuals of left ankle injury, residuals of right ankle injury, post-operative chronic subacromial impingement with degenerative changes (right rotator cuff tear/impediment), tinnitus, and others, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 28, 2016. From July 28, 2016, the claim is dismissed as moot due to his combined disability rating of 100 percent.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death and were not related to service. The Board also found that he was not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically Osgood-Schlatter's disease, need to be re-evaluated due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and an incomplete examination. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep disorder, arches disability, right shoulder disability, hypertension, cervical spine disability, left knee disability (knee strain), and headaches have all been denied. The Board found no current disabilities related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded five issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hip, right knee, left ankle disabilities and a mallet left little finger disability. The remand includes obtaining updated examinations of the Veteran's service-connected mallet left little finger disability, peripheral nerves examination, and addendum opinions regarding his service connection claims.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal as the Veteran has withdrawn her appeals.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee osteoarthritis. The case will be remanded to obtain new examinations and determine the etiology and severity of these conditions.

The Board has found that further development is required due to insufficient medical opinions and the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, variously diagnosed, is granted service connection.,An initial rating of 10 percent for left knee PPS with instability and painful motion is granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and back disabilities are granted. The Board finds that the new evidence received is sufficient to reopen his previously denied claims, and service connection is established for both conditions.