Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 12, 2020.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at a 30 percent rating for the period prior to June 13, 2013. From January 7, 2016 to March 1, 2017, he received a total evaluation due to his left knee explant with prostalac. The Veteran's increased ratings from August 1, 2014 to January 7, 2016 and from March 1, 2017 onwards are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and conflicting opinions regarding his claimed disabilities. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant records, including SSA records, and provide additional medical opinions on the origin of his heart disabilities and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may impact other claims.

The Veteran's claim for left knee calcific tendinitis, infrapatellar tendon was reopened and granted. Tinnitus and anxiety disorder were also granted.,Bilateral hearing loss, right and left knee disorders (including right knee posttraumatic residual degenerative joint disease), thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and headaches (claimed as cephalgia) are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities have been denied. The RO found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran’s conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including residuals of heat stress and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various knee disabilities, lumbar spine disability, and sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The appeals are dismissed or denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the effective dates are not earlier than June 30, 2016.,Claims for increased ratings for scars of the bilateral knees and left foot and metatarsal base fracture of the left foot with degenerative arthritis were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination. The other claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in the record regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and for an increased rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee with osteoarthritis prior to May 14, 2013. The TDIU claim was also remanded due to incomplete worker's compensation records.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for an increased rating for a right knee disability has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal.

The Board has granted a separate initial 20 percent rating for right knee instability, but no higher. The decision is based on the Veteran's consistent reports of moderate instability and use of a brace.

The Veteran's only service-connected disability is right knee strain, rated at 10%. The Board found that he does not have a serious employment handicap and thus is not entitled to vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, lumbar strain, right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, right knee limitation of extension, left knee limitation of extension, and right hip strain. The combined effect of these conditions has rendered the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is granted a separate, compensable rating of 20 percent for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. The Veteran's GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, IBS, and esophageal adenocarcinoma residuals are granted a disability rating of 60 percent from September 25, 2012 to present.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions due to unclear medical records and the need for further examination.