Knee Board decisions

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and lumbar spine strain. The appeal for a compensable rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was also dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and spondylosis was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to September 23, 2014, for left knee arthritis was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent beginning November 1, 2015, for left knee arthritis status post total knee replacement was denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 7, 2018, was not demonstrated and thus the claim must be denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee condition and lumbar degenerative disc disease have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's right knee DJD limitation of flexion was restored to a 20 percent rating effective July 30, 2011. The other issues regarding increased ratings and TDIU are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability and assigned a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's left knee and lower extremity stress fractures, right knee and lower extremity stress fractures, and right ankle sprain were each rated at the minimum compensable level (10%) due to painful motion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain, cubital tunnel syndrome, and other conditions, have prevented him from obtaining or following substantially gainful employment since August 1, 2009.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by limited flexion and extension, has been granted a separate rating of 10 percent for limitation of extension. A higher rating for limitation of flexion is denied.

The Board has granted a higher 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, but the claims for left and right shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has found that the VA examinations and medical opinions are inadequate for adjudicative purposes, and thus remanded this matter for the issuance of an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities met the schedular criteria for a TDIU from December 10, 2020. The Board remanded the matter of entitlement to a TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's right knee disability was previously rated at 10% and increased to 20% in February 2020. The appeal is denied as the current evaluations do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated as compensable, and the Board has remanded for further evaluation of his OSA/asthma, left knee disabilities (flexion), instability, and limitation of extension.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, low back disability, radiculopathy, knee disabilities, and right knee scar. The specific issues include seeking higher ratings for these conditions as of May 29, 2018, and prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating, and his preponderance of evidence is against a finding that they were of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left knee iliotibial band disability syndrome and right foot plantar fasciitis have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions prior to April 4, 2013 prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment consistent with his educational background and employment history.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left foot disabilities. A temporary total evaluation is also granted for her service-connected left foot disability requiring convalescence, effective January 11, 2016.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent from June 12, 2014. The Veteran's left knee strain and limitation of extension are denied increased ratings. The Veteran's left ankle sprain with osteoarthritis is granted a disability rating of 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service or secondary to service-connected disabilities.