Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and knee conditions, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since September 30, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to an insufficient consideration of the Veteran's medical history and her lay statements regarding her right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the VA did not substantially comply with its January 2021 remand, and thus the case is being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that further VA evaluations and records are needed to properly assess the Veteran's right knee disability, as the current evidence is insufficient for a determination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and readjudication due to inadequate VA examinations, specifically those from 2015, 2017, and 2018. The Veteran's left knee disorder is being evaluated again with a new examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under the old rating criteria, and a higher evaluation is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus was remanded due to insufficient evidence linking it to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and employment information. A VA examination will be scheduled to assess the impact of his service-connected orthopedic disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various disabilities, including left shoulder and ankle disabilities, lumbar spine disability, and right knee disability. The issues include determining appropriate functional loss due to pain or other symptoms during flare-ups or with repeated use, as well as assessing whether there are any incapacitating episodes associated with these conditions.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of February 28, 2015 for his TDIU and DEA eligibility. The Board found the Veteran unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities from that date.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis prior to January 17, 2020 and from that date was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for the period since January 17, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition, finding that the evidence did not support a direct relationship to service or secondary to any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and right knee have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination in determining the extent of right knee limitation of motion prior to January 11, 2019. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to comply with Sharp v. Shulkin and Correia v. McDonald.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, dermatitis, and right knee disability due to additional evidence received since the July 2019 Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee and left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including a new examination to assess his left ankle disability and opinions regarding secondary service connection for right ankle, bilateral knee, and low back disabilities. The appeals are REMANDED.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service or events therein.,Service connection was denied for a cervical spine disorder due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition during service.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, migraines, and a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea and insomnia). The case is remanded for further examination regarding the Veteran's claimed sleep disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are not ready for decision due to outstanding records and outdated examination reports. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability is remanded. The issue of service connection for a mental health condition is also remanded.