Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to failure of the Veteran to report for a VA examination scheduled in December 2019. The examiner will be asked to assess the severity of the right knee disability and provide information regarding any flare-ups, functional loss, and other relevant symptoms.

The Veteran's right knee strain and degenerative disease have been rated at 10 percent, but the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's left knee strain has also been rated at 10 percent, with the same request for review.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for the right knee condition is denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking the current right knee pain to service or a service-connected condition.

Service connection for residuals of left knee meniscectomy is granted.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for back sprain/strain prior to September 13, 2019 is denied. A compensable rating of 20 percent effective January 20, 2012, for back sprain/strain is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and depression. The Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred during his active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for a sleep disability (insomnia) as there is no evidence of such a condition in the record.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right hip disability and entitlement to TDIU prior to July 1, 2019. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran needs a new examination to assess his current range of motion, flare-ups, and other functional limitations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unemployable, and thus denied her claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus tear with frequent episodes of joint pain, locking and effusion is rated at 20 percent effective September 30, 2014. The limitation of extension is not considered for a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left knee disability due to new and material evidence. However, it was determined that the preexisting condition worsened during service but is not considered aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a bilateral leg disorder other than already service-connected bilateral knee and ankle disability, diagnosed as gout, due to issues with VA's duty to assist in obtaining his entire service treatment record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were granted, with effective dates of April 5, 2017.

The Board has found that another remand is necessary due to non-compliance with previous remands. The case will be returned for further development and adjudication.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and entitlement to TDIU prior to August 15, 2013. The Veteran's employment at ML was not considered marginal or in a protected environment, and his gross earnings exceeded the poverty threshold.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability was aggravated in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, right and left ankle sprain, plantar fascia fibromatosis of the feet, and groin muscle pain of the right leg. The decision is based on credible evidence that these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the neck, back, left upper arm joint, left knee, and right knee. The VA examiners found no evidence of in-service injury or illness that caused these conditions.,There is no medical record showing any chronic condition related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.,The Board remanded the issues of service connection for right knee and back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee strain and lumbosacral strain have been evaluated, with the right knee receiving a maximum rating of 30 percent since May 9, 2017. The right knee instability is granted as a separate condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to incomplete development of records and conflicting medical opinions.