Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for any of the conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lower back disorder, bilateral pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to missing relevant service records. The Veteran's right and left knee disorders have been rated based on painful flexion.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted, and his right knee disability remains at a 10% rating. The TBI residuals are rated as headaches and tinnitus, with separate ratings. PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted to a 50% rating prior to July 23, 2009, but denied for higher ratings thereafter.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain, COPD, and service connection for a back disability. The previous examinations are inadequate and further examination is required.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck, right shoulder, and left knee disorders were not incurred or aggravated by military service. The evidence did not show continuity of symptomatology since separation from active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that his current knee disabilities were not shown as chronic in service or related to an injury or disease during service. The preponderance of evidence did not support a link between his current condition and his military duties.

The Veteran's PVD of the LLE, right leg amputations, and loss of use of both feet are rated at their highest levels effective January 16, 2017. SMC is granted at level (r)(1).

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether the Veteran's bilateral leg/knee disability, including Osgood Schlatter disease, preexisted service and was not aggravated during service.

The Board has denied service connection for a back condition, neck condition, and bilateral knee condition as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including a new VA examination for lumbar spine disability and right knee disability. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right leg gunshot wound, contributed to his death from heart failure. The decision grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not related to service and denied his claim. The right elbow pronation, left ankle sprain, right elbow calcific tendinosis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee patellar bone spur claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left shoulder / left arm disorder is aggravated by his service-connected partial left foot drop with left knee arthritis. The VA examiner must provide a rationale for their opinion on this issue.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between any of these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities was denied, with the effective date set at January 11, 2018.,The Board has determined that an earlier effective date is not warranted for the TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's right leg, left leg, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities. The claims for service connection are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, right knee condition, allergic rhinitis, and right shoulder condition have been granted. The remaining issues of increased ratings for migraine headaches, bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus, and service connection for a right knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for left knee arthritis with internal derangement and meniscal tear prior to July 15, 2013 and from November 1, 2013 to July 31, 2018 was denied.,An initial increased rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for left knee instability prior to September 27, 2017 was granted. The Veteran's total left knee replacement from October 1, 2019 is rated at 60 percent.

The Board denied service connection for right knee arthritis, left knee disability, and thrombocytopenia. The Veteran's right knee arthritis was not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. For the left knee, there is no current diagnosis at any time during or recent to the filing of the claim. Regarding thrombocytopenia, while the Veteran served at Camp Lejeune, the Board found that his thrombocytopenia was not related to exposure to contaminated water and concluded that it did not begin during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right knee disability due to incomplete VA examination reports and in order to address the Veteran's TDIU claim. The issues include seeking higher ratings for instability of the joint and painful motion, as well as determining if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.