Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for information regarding his employment history and whether he worked in a 'sheltered environment' during the appeal period. The AOJ must provide the Veteran with an application form, contact former employers, obtain their responses, and obtain updated VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment from October 31, 2011 to May 16, 2013. From July 1, 2014, the disability did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left knee disability is now rated at 60 percent from May 17, 2019, reflecting a significant worsening of symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for recurrent bilateral cerumen impaction, vitamin D deficiency, left and right foot ingrown toenails, boutonniere deformity of the right 5th digit, allergic rhinitis, external hemorrhoids, hypertension, right knee instability, left knee instability, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis have been granted. The Veteran's service connection claims for initial compensable rating for hypertension, initial 20 percent rating for right knee instability prior to September 21, 2020, initial 30 percent rating for right knee instability from September 21, 2020, initial 20 percent rating for left knee instability prior to September 21, 2020, and initial 30 percent rating for left knee instability from September 21, 2020 have been granted. The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis have not been granted.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a rating of 20%, but the lumbar spine degenerative arthritis remains at 20%.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and a need for a VA examination. The Veteran's left knee disability, including complex regional pain syndrome, is being evaluated for its relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's TBI and sinusitis have been granted service connection. The lumbar spine, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, left eye, and left kidney disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining additional military personnel and medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of various ankle, hip, knee, and foot conditions due to insufficient rationale provided in the VA examiner's opinions. The issues are related to secondary service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for varicose veins of the legs, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, and back disorder. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating for compensation based on unemployability of the individual prior to January 6, 2016 due to lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD is dismissed. The appeals for sleep apnea, left knee condition, right knee condition, and right hip condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of a higher rating for his right knee disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from Social Security Administration.

The Board denied an increased rating for left knee internal derangement and granted a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic residuals of cartilage removal, but the Veteran's claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right knee disorder, and a stomach disorder (GERD) as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus. The claims for the right knee disorder and stomach disorder are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions alone do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle or right heel disability. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for right knee strain, lumbar strain prior to March 11, 2016, and right hip strain.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, status post arthroscopic surgery. The decision is based on evidence showing that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran contends his current disabilities are related to parachute jumps during active duty.