Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher initial rating for right knee patella alta and TDIU due to service-connected disability because further development is needed, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and right shoulder disabilities due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development due to unresolved issues regarding service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee meniscectomy residuals prior to January 13, 2009 and denied entitlement to separate ratings for genu recurvatum and noncompensable limitation of motion of the right knee with arthritis. The Veteran's claim for increased rating for right total knee arthroplasty residuals from March 1, 2010 to February 28, 2017 was also denied. However, his claim for an increased rating as of March 1, 2017 was not addressed due to the Board's remand.

The Veteran's service connection claim for fibromyalgia and left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Veteran also failed to meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease and post-concussion syndrome with headaches and dizziness were at least as likely as not a contributory cause of his death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and service. The claim will be granted as the preponderance of the evidence is in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities, service connection for a left shoulder disorder, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for new VA examinations to address the nature and severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee instability post arthrotomy is granted a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the March 2013 decision. The increased rating for right knee DJD remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a right shoulder disorder. The decision on whether the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to service remains pending.

The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 30 percent from October 28, 2013. A higher rating for the condition prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left below the knee amputation and osteomyelitis of the left tibia and fibula were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5000, as there was no definitive involucrum or sequestrum with discharging sinus.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis and left knee arthritis. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and a higher rating for his right knee arthritis were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for the separate rating of right knee instability was granted, but the case is now remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee chondromalacia and limitation of flexion were denied as the preponderance of evidence did not show ankylosis, subluxation or instability, meniscus injuries, extension limited to 30 degrees, malunion or nonunion of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum. The Veteran's left knee extension was found to be at 0 degrees with pain during some examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection claims for right hip and leg length discrepancies due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including prostate disorder, hypertension, hearing loss, right knee disability, GERD, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and respiratory disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of the Veteran's left knee meniscus injury and DJD for additional development, as the current VA examination report is not in compliance with the Court’s decision in Sharp.