Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's previously denied claims for right knee, back, and left knee disorders are reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to support these claims. However, the issues of service connection for these conditions remain pending as they have not yet been fully adjudicated.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the service-connected fracture of the right clavicle and left knee internal derangement, with no new evidence provided to reopen the claims. The Veteran's service-connected conditions were evaluated based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination. The examiner did not provide sufficient information regarding the severity and manifestations of the condition during flare-ups or repetitive use.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, GERD, bilateral leg disability (claimed as a gait condition), right shoulder disability, bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, lower back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to their potential secondary relationship with her service-connected PTSD.

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The Veteran's right knee disability is characterized by severe painful motion and weakness. The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the period from March 9, 2015 to August 15, 2016. However, his claim for higher ratings beyond this period remains pending as it requires further examination.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, dismissed the claims of entitlement to increased ratings for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to September 13, 2018 and entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 13, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the right knee, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during active service and is not related to any in-service injury. The Veteran's current DJD was diagnosed many years after service and there is no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service event.

The Board has granted service connection for low back pain or strain and left knee pain or strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty in Iraq.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are not rated higher than the current 10 percent ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for left knee instability with arthritis since February 7, 2021. The Veteran's condition is characterized by moderate instability and pain.

The Board granted a rating of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis in multiple joints, effective August 26, 2011, and remanded the issue of separate ratings for chronic residuals.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's right knee disability, including MRSA infection, is being reviewed for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and osteoarthritis with meniscal tear and strain were denied. The rating for right knee instability was not granted as the condition did not cause moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. For right knee osteoarthritis, the limitation of extension prior to August 17, 2020 was not met, while from that date onwards it was also not met.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent prior to November 18, 2009 and for the periods from November 18, 2009 to November 15, 2012 and from January 1, 2013 to May 6, 2018. A separate evaluation of 10 percent is granted for other impairment of the left knee disability during these periods.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), a lower back condition, right and left knee conditions, right foot frostbite, left foot frostbite, right hand frostbite, left hand frostbite, tinea versicolor with tinea pedis, and status-post fracture of the left fourth finger with osteoarthritis. The Veteran is to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to assess the severity of his knee conditions.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome has been granted service connection, but the RO assigned a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher disability rating for right knee disability and entitlement to TDIU due to new evidence added since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.