Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to insufficient evidence, including for left hip condition secondary to bilateral knee chondromalacia, right hip condition secondary to bilateral knee chondromalacia, degenerative arthritis of the spine, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claims for individual unemployability, increased evaluation for PTSD, and an earlier effective date. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10% for chondromalacia and instability, while his right knee disability is rated at 20% prior to March 14, 2007, and 40% since then.

The Board has denied service connection for back pain, prostate disability, heart valve disability, hypertension, brain abnormality, bilateral knee disability, and arthritis in bilateral upper limbs.,The Veteran's claims for these conditions were previously remanded by the Board. Additional development is required as the RO did not substantially comply with the last remand.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals, right knee degenerative joint disease, status post total right knee replacement is dismissed due to the Veteran and his attorney requesting withdrawal of the claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability has worsened over time, and he is seeking a higher evaluation. The Board finds that the current VA examinations are inadequate for rating purposes due to lack of consideration of functional loss during flare-ups and other limitations. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of degenerative changes in both knees due to a lack of discussion on the theory of service connection and the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the knee conditions are related to the service-connected deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disorders, finding that there was no evidence of chronic symptoms within one year post-service or during active duty. The Board also found that the Veteran did not provide credible testimony regarding his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a right foot fracture is denied. The claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and TDIU prior to January 25, 2018 are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee arthralia, status post-operative is rated at 30 percent and his right knee strain is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee was granted a 20% evaluation prior to October 21, 2014, for degenerative arthritis with instability. The left knee received a 20% evaluation from July 23, 2019, for degenerative arthritis with a semilunar cartilage tear. Other claims were denied or granted under specific conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's left knee strain is granted as service connection due to an in-service injury.

The Board denied a TDIU prior to January 22, 2010, as the Veteran was gainfully employed during this period and his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and a need to reschedule VA examinations. The issues include rating increases, service connection, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of lupus. The Veteran's left knee disability and fibromyalgia have been rated, with no further rating adjustments needed.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct rating codesheets and obtain a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee strain and instability and recurrent patellar dislocation of the right knee due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and testimony regarding continuity of symptomology.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding service connection for back and right knee disabilities.