Knee Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, TBI, left hip disability, and left knee disability. The claims are now remanded to obtain VA examinations and determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right knee strain, prior to January 4, 2019 for right shoulder arthritis, and after January 4, 2019 for right shoulder arthritis have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection for a right elbow disorder, bilateral foot disorder, nasal scar, and TDIU are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and review of certain records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran has multiple service-connected conditions, including atrial fibrillation, hypertension, degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine, right shoulder arthroplasty, left shoulder debridement, right knee replacement, and status post left knee ACL reconstruction. The appeal is remanded to allow for further evaluations and determinations regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's initial rating for right knee disability remains at 10 percent.,The Veteran's initial rating for left knee disability remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from maintaining gainful employment with respect to the period on appeal.

The Veteran's left knee strain, characterized by limitation of flexion, is rated at 10 percent and the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disorders due to inadequate medical opinions provided in the post-Remand record. The case is being returned to obtain new opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including whether they are related to his service or as a result of his already service-connected back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and left ear disabilities due to lack of evidence of chronic conditions during or following active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluation, and TDIU due to incomplete development in previous examinations. The low back disability claim is remanded as there was no discussion of in-service complaints or treatment notes. The left knee disability claim requires an additional VA examination to assess painful motion and range of motion limitations. The TDIU claim must be deferred until the other claims are resolved.

The Veteran's left knee conditions, including anterior cruciate ligament tear and degenerative arthritis, are rated at 10 percent since January 16, 2020. The rating is for limitation of motion in the flexion of the knee.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been denied. The lumbar spine disability has been granted a rating prior to September 14, 2020 and denied thereafter.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities, including limited flexion and extension, as well as a meniscus removal, are rated at 10% effective November 8, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, left and right foot conditions, bilateral knee conditions, and denied service connection for GERD and sleep apnea. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide an opinion regarding the etiology of GERD.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a back disorder, both secondary to his right knee disability, is granted.,However, the Board has determined that additional development is needed as the opinions provided by VA examiners are inadequate.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to January 25, 2012 for a 50% rating for migraines and a compensable rating for avulsion of the distal tip of the left little finger has been withdrawn. The right knee disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with separate ratings of 20 percent for instability in both knees. The TDIU claim is granted effective July 24, 2014.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as noncompensable prior to August 29, 2016, and has been increased to 20 percent thereafter. The Board finds the November 2020 VA examination inadequate due to lack of passive range of motion measurements upon weight bearing and non-weight bearing testing.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 20% rating effective March 6, 2013. The left knee disability received a separate 10% rating for slight lateral instability prior to March 30, 2016.

Service connection for low back disorder (degenerative arthritis of the spine) is granted.,Service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left knee disorder are denied.