Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and shoulder and knee conditions, do not preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment prior to November 12, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine DDD disabilities due to incomplete compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed by an orthopedic clinician to determine its etiology and whether it caused or aggravated his left knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's tension headaches have not been productive of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.,For the period prior to August 7, 2020, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not productive of incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), ankylosis, forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, combined range of motion limited to 170 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour, or the functional equivalent thereof.,From August 7, 2020, the Veteran's cervical spine disability has not been productive of forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or less, ankylosis, incapacitating episodes as defined by VA regulation, or the functional equivalent thereof.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a retrospective evaluation of the Veteran's left knee disability from July 2009 to present. The TDIU claim is also on hold as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is not service-connected, and his left elbow arthritis has been rated based on painful motion. The issues of increased ratings for the left elbow and secondary service connection have been remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of drop foot, right hip disability, and knee disabilities as they have been granted in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his right leg condition, left knee condition, and mood disorder with sleep disturbance were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left brachial plexus and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted service connection as they are found to be related to in-service injuries.,Service connection for the right knee condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has restored the Veteran's right knee instability rating from noncompensable to 20 percent effective September 2, 2010 due to a void ab initio reduction.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, which was aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. The other issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis are rated at 10% and 30%, respectively. Separate ratings of 20% each have been granted for dislocated semilunar cartilage in both knees.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral knee, shoulder, and back conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in October 2020 are inadequate for adjudication purposes and remanded the case to obtain new VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities and bilateral knee disabilities, which he contends were incurred during active duty service.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's right leg and knee disabilities, as well as his cervical spondylosis. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's left knee is granted a 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion beginning August 30, 2013. The previous ratings for instability and limitation of flexion remain in effect.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen her claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, asthma, and sarcoidosis as new and material evidence was not presented.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine and shoulder disorders due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.,Specifically, the Veteran's current back condition was found not related to his in-service participation in jump school.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability, associated with hyperextension injury and osteochondritis dissecans, is currently rated at 20 percent for limitation of extension. The appeal is granted as the Veteran has established service connection for left vastus medialis obliquus atrophy and muscle impairment secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis, service connection for erectile dysfunction and left ear hearing loss, and TDIU. The case will be remanded to ensure compliance with prior remand instructions.