Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for osteoarthritis and instability. The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for locking, but the issues of rating osteoarthritis and instability remain remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Appellant's periods of active duty and OCS from June 1991 to March 1992. The VA is required to verify these dates and provide an addendum medical opinion on whether her claimed conditions are related to service, including aggravation during OCS.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for residuals of a left femur fracture, a left knee disability (secondary to the femur fracture), and hypertension are inextricably intertwined with the claim for TDIU. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete development and inadequate medical opinions. The issues include PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, lumbar spine disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative changes, left wrist and left knee instability as there is no evidence of moderate or severe instability in either condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability and gouty arthritis are granted service connection, with a 10% rating assigned for the left knee condition.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected left knee disability has been denied. The current rating of 20 percent for instability is maintained, but the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for adjustment disorder is granted, effective from August 17, 2016. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise that the Veteran met the criteria for a 70 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right wrist disabilities, as well as for bilateral knee disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and cervical spine disabilities due to outstanding treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has granted separate ratings for the Veteran's right knee meniscal impairment and instability, increased ratings for his psychiatric disability, and TDIU. The Veteran wishes to withdraw all remaining issues associated with the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, left knee injury, and right knee injury due to insufficient opinions in the previous VA examination. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms during service will be considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his active duty service.

The Board has added the issue of TDIU to the appeal and remanded it for further development. The AOJ is required to obtain the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation records, provide him with a VA Form 21-8940 application, and ensure all relevant documents are associated with his claims file.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient examination information, including regarding flare-ups and additional functional loss. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current diagnoses for hemorrhoids, left lower extremity radiculopathy/numbness, right ankle disability, or sinusitis. The Veteran's service records do not show any such conditions during his active duty.,For the right knee and left knee disabilities, the Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's photophobia and dry eyes are related to service, resulting in a grant of service connection. His PTSD is rated at 70 percent since March 14, 2011.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disabilities.,A 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis was granted effective December 12, 2019.