Knee Board decisions

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent under DCs 5260 and 5261. The Veteran was granted a 20% rating from February 4, 2015 to January 7, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the lack of evidence showing a link between current symptoms and military service. The claims for higher staged ratings for left knee disorder, right hip disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and hypertension are remanded as additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back arthritis, low back strain, bilateral shoulder arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral hip strain, including as a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The claims are being returned to VA for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that it is related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation due to housebound status or need for aid and attendance is remanded. The Board finds it necessary to obtain a VA neurology examination to determine the etiology of left foot drop, which may affect eligibility for these benefits. Additionally, a new VA aid and attendance examination is needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected orthopedic conditions. Various issues of service connection and disability ratings are also granted or remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic knee injury during active military service and concluding that his current knee problems are not related to any in-service event or exposure.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on painful motion and limitation of motion, with no compensable flexion or extension. The appeals for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hip disability, and lumbar spine disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and his current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to regulatory changes in the rating criteria for knee disabilities, specifically instability under DC 5257. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as accrued benefits. The left and right knee disabilities, dementia, and hypertension are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder condition, low back disability, right knee condition, and high blood pressure due to new evidence added to the record.

The Board denied service connection for left hip, right hip, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing their onset in or during service.,The Veteran's current hip and knee disabilities are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to cold weather, foot disabilities, neck disability, knee disabilities, and shoulder disability. The claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment consistent with his work and education background.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that his current condition is due to his active duty service. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's consistent statements regarding the onset of his knee pain during service and resolves any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left knee disability, asthma, and migraine headaches have been granted service connection. The Veteran is currently rated at 30% for his migraine headaches, effective from August 18, 2009.

The claims for service connection for OSA, heart disease, left knee disability, and right hip disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed as the current state of the Veteran's disabilities is not reflected in the existing records.,The Veteran’s testimony at his hearing indicates he may be related to service-connected PTSD for OSA and right foot injury, and secondary service connection claims need to be evaluated.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthritis of the left and right knees due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's contentions of knee pain since the 1970s.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with chondrocalcinosis and anterior cruciate ligament deficiency is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not adequately reflect his current level of disability.