Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain, instability of the left knee, and left ankle sprain are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in previous VA evaluations. The Veteran will need new examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the combined disability evaluation exceeds the maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vision loss, need further review due to potential death of the Veteran. The appeal is being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and COPD, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee meniscectomy and degenerative arthritis should be remanded for further examination to assess their current severity. The restoration of a separate 10 percent rating for right knee meniscectomy under Diagnostic Code 5257 is granted, while the issue regarding a higher disability rating for right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis remains pending and will be addressed in the remand section. A 10 percent rating for painful right knee scars is also granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and cognitive impairment (memory loss) disabilities are all granted as service-connected.,New evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's post-operative medial meniscotomy of the right knee, finding that his disability did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on specific diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inextricably intertwined issues, specifically regarding left below the knee amputation residuals. The case is being sent back for a VA medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left below the knee amputation and its relationship to service-connected disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examinations and requests for additional information.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10% and denied a higher rating. The right shoulder rotator cuff tear with tendonitis and acromioclavicular joint arthritis was previously rated at 20%, but the reduction to 30% has been found void ab initio. A higher rating for this condition after February 7, 2017 is also denied.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability remains at a 30% rating since February 7, 2017, and no higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examinations and incomplete records. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for thoracic strain, left knee medial compartment narrowing status post ACL repair, and unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates before July 22, 2011 for service connection of neuroforaminal stenosis of the lumbar spine, left knee patellar tendonitis, right knee patellar tendonitis, and a right eyebrow scar.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee injury with anterior cruciate lesion, s/p ACL reconstruction, residuals is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the significance of the use of a brace and cane.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's treatment records from 1997 at Yokota Air Force Base and all outstanding VA treatment records, including those from 2011, are required to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examination reports.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left or right hip disability during the appeal period.,There is also no evidence of a current left or right shoulder disability, and the Veteran's lay assertions cannot constitute competent medical evidence in support of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and left knee conditions due to insufficient evidence, including a need for a VA examination.