Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine/neck disorder, lumbar spine/back disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, right thumb disorder, and bilateral hearing loss as the appellant did not have a disability during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA that was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various hip, knee, shoulder, and spine conditions are being remanded due to the failure of VA to schedule examinations as instructed in a previous Board decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee traumatic arthritis, finding that the evidence did not show flexion limited to less than 30 degrees or extension limited to less than 10 degrees, which would warrant a higher rating. The current 10 percent rating is considered appropriate.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for TBI, left knee disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability are inadequate. The Veteran's service treatment records indicate an intracranial injury without skull fracture and history of concussion. Therefore, a new examination is required to determine if the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service head injury.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic back, right knee, and right wrist disorders on a presumptive basis as they manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to unverified National Guard service records, which may affect the Veteran's right knee disability claim.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for thoracolumbar spine, left knee, left hip, and cervical spine disabilities due to incomplete development and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of all evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 17, 2018. The Board has granted TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board has remanded the remaining issues for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD with hiatal hernia and Barrett's esophagus), and skin condition of the hands and feet have been granted service connection. The rating for the gastrointestinal disorder has been increased to 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee limitation of motion and instability due to inadequate examination in a previous decision. The case is being returned for further development, including scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disability, whether his hypertension is related to service, and whether his bilateral shoulder disabilities are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's initial rating for left ankle disability is remanded due to unclear examination results and the need for clarification of additional loss of ROM.,The Veteran's initial rating for low back disorder prior to February 9, 2021, and from that date forward is remanded due to conflicting examination reports and the need for clarification of additional loss of ROM.,Service connection for skin disorder is remanded due to lack of nexus opinion and need for clarification regarding exposure at Ft. McClellan, AL.,Service connection for left knee disorder is remanded due to lack of nexus opinion and need for examination.,Service connection for headaches is remanded due to lack of nexus opinion and need for examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on statutory housebound status as he does not have a single service-connected disability rated totally disabling, to include consideration of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities and a headache disability due to inadequate examination opinions. The case is returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee limitation of motion and instability due to changes in rating criteria effective February 7, 2021. The RO is instructed to consider both old and new rating criteria when adjudicating these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate VA opinions regarding his left foot, left hip, low back, and left knee disabilities. The claims will be further evaluated with new medical opinions.