Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain, sciatic nerve paralysis (left lower extremity radiculopathy), left knee chondromalacia, and right knee chondromalacia are being remanded due to procedural issues with the medical opinions provided in previous examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for mild degenerative changes of the left knee, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and remanded the issues of left knee condition and bilateral hip conditions due to insufficient opinions regarding aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized as patellofemoral pain syndrome and instability, is granted with separate ratings of 20% for locking and 10% for instability.,Entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus prior to January 15, 2021 is denied. The Board found the evidence did not show pronounced disability and thus only granted a 30 percent rating.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence of current hearing loss related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome and left knee symptoms, have been granted. The rating for irritable bowel syndrome has been increased to 30 percent effective from April 28, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service department records and VA treatment records, as well as needing a new VA examination to determine the nature of the Veteran's left knee Osgood Schlatter disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disabilities due to insufficient consideration of medication effects and failure to comply with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including patellofemoral syndrome and instability, are currently rated at the lowest possible levels (10 percent each) for limitation of motion. The Board has determined that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran needs new, adequate evaluations of his low back disability, left knee disability, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various hip and knee conditions, as well as a back strain. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, including chondromalacia and a meniscus tear, is rated at 10 percent since February 29, 2012. Separate ratings for patellar instability and locking/effusion are granted. Service connection for right knee, hip, lower back, and foot disorders secondary to the left knee disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left knee condition has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a bladder condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected knee and back disabilities due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee, left knee, right leg, and low back disabilities as they are considered to have onset during his active military service.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for right knee instability and subluxation, effective July 15, 2010. The ratings for right and left knee arthritis remain at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as a TDIU prior to July 16, 2010, were denied. The Board found that the assigned ratings under DCs 5010, 5257, and 5258 are appropriate.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a right knee disability and hearing loss effective December 2, 1993. The effective date for these awards is set at the earliest possible date based on the receipt of his application.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus and PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol/cocaine use disorder was granted effective September 30, 2015. The claims were not filed prior to this date.