Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for gout, a foot disability (claimed as trench foot), left ankle disabilities, right ankle disabilities, left knee disabilities, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete STRs and inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's left and right knee tendonitis/tendinosis have been granted increased ratings from 0 percent to 10 percent, but no higher. The conditions are rated based on limitation of motion under Diagnostic Code 5260 (flexion).

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a 10% rating from December 11, 2014 to July 15, 2015 for limitation of motion and instability. A separate 20% rating was assigned from May 16, 2015 to July 14, 2015 for meniscal impairment.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and left hip disability as secondary to the Veteran's left knee condition due to lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to his knee surgery.,The Board also denied service connection for a low back disability and left hip disability as secondary to the Veteran's left knee condition, finding no medical evidence linking these disabilities to the knee surgery.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied. A disability rating of 40 percent for gout is granted. The criteria for increased ratings for thoracolumbar spondylosis of L5 with degenerative disc disease are not met prior to December 3, 2019 and subsequent to that date. Increased ratings for left knee and right knee disabilities are also denied. A separate rating of 10 percent for instability of the right knee is granted. The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) effective October 1, 2020 is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability and right ankle disability. The issues of service connection are being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, including its onset in service or relation to any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Board has denied increased ratings for various conditions, including right knee disability and tinnitus. The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right knee patellofemoral syndrome with loose bodies and osteoarthritis are being remanded due to pending VA examinations that may impact the outcome of the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected left foot disability, and remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection claims has been withdrawn due to the appellant's decision.

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee strain, right knee strain, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine for additional examinations to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU. The Board has also referred his claim for a higher rating for chronic sinusitis to the Under Secretary for Benefits due to its severity.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the range of motion measurements and functional impairment assessment.

The Board has remanded the claims for post-traumatic degenerative changes of the right knee, left knee, and lumbosacral strain due to outstanding VA treatment records potentially relevant to these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral lower extremity neurological disorder (essential tremors) and denied service connection for a right knee disorder. The denial is based on the lack of evidence showing a nexus between current right knee disorders and military service.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was denied due to his failure to submit requested evidence and information. The Board also remanded several service connection claims, including gout, thoracolumbar spine disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and hip disorders were denied. The claim for an increased rating of the left wrist disability was granted with a 10% rating effective March 13, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee DJD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports and the need for further development.