Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for left knee DJD, right knee DJD, a right leg disorder (claimed as right calf muscle spasm), and hypertension.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for right knee disability and left knee disability are both denied as there is no evidence of onset during service or otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a higher rating for left knee disability were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have current diagnoses of hypertension or sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his active service and his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability is already at its highest possible rating of 20 percent.,The Veteran's right knee disability has a current flexion to 70 degrees and extension to zero degrees, which does not warrant an increased rating beyond the currently assigned 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and hip disabilities due to new evidence received after a July 2020 supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, left knee disability, and left toe disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and left knee disability are rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis (formerly patella femoral pain syndrome) is currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for an increased rating has been denied.,Prior to October 5, 2020, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent evaluation for his achilles tendonitis, left ankle. From that date forward, the claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. The right knee MCL laxity is denied.,TDIU benefits for service-connected disabilities are granted from October 7, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, finding that her current left knee disability did not begin during service or be related to an in-service injury. The Board also found no evidence of secondary service connection due to her service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and a meniscal tear, was found to have limited flexion and extension prior to August 9, 2016. The evidence did not support higher ratings based on these conditions.

The appeal is remanded for clarification of the Veteran's left knee disability ratings and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding his meniscal involvement, instability, and deformity.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left hip trochanteric pain syndrome, a compensable rating for rhinitis, service connection for sleep apnea (SA), and service connection for right knee disability due to new evidence received since the previous decisions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the left knee condition, and the Board dismissed it.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral hand numbness and tingling. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 30 percent for his right and left total knee replacement disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's left knee instability and right knee instability were denied ratings in excess of the current 10 percent prior to January 7, 2020. A separate evaluation of 20 percent for right knee dislocated cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain and effusion was granted.,The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis was denied a rating in excess of the current 10 percent prior to January 7, 2020. The left knee osteoarthritis was denied ratings in excess of the current 10 percent prior to January 7, 2020 and from January 7, 2020 up to May 31, 2014.,The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to May 31, 2014 was denied. The Veteran's right knee instability and left knee osteoarthritis were remanded for further development after January 7, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, BPH, sleep apnea, and several other conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses or credible evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, as there is no evidence of current disability. Service connection for a right knee disorder and a left knee disorder was also denied due to lack of medical opinion on the etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but denied the claims for left knee disability, right foot ingrown toenails, and low back disability. The issues of service connection for right knee disability and left and right foot numbness are remanded.