Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee injury was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's right knee semilunar cartilage dislocation with effusion and pain is rated at 20 percent prior to May 16, 2013. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to August 14, 2017 and on or after that date. The Veteran's right knee disability was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 28, 2013.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% since August 14, 2017 and her right knee disability is rated at 20%.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and left ankle injuries due to further development being necessary.

The Veteran's right knee DJD condition is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For his left knee DJD condition prior to June 3, 2020, he was assigned a 10 percent rating. The Board also finds no basis for a higher rating in this case.,The Veteran's right knee post cartilage removal currently has a 10 percent rating, and the Board does not find any basis for a higher rating under these circumstances.,For his left knee post cartilage removal prior to June 3, 2020, he was assigned a 10 percent rating. The Board also finds no basis for a higher rating in this case.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, and gastrointestinal disability. The Veteran's symptoms have been present since his military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for right and left knee strain with degenerative arthritis has been denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disorder due to additional development. The claims are being returned for further review.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to issues related to service connection for right and left knee disorders, which are claimed as secondary to a service-connected low back strain.

The Veteran's chronic left ankle sprain and left knee strain have been granted ratings, with the left ankle receiving a 20% rating and the left knee receiving a 10% rating for instability. The issues of higher ratings for these conditions remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence and for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and ACL laxity, was found to not warrant a higher rating prior to November 7, 2018. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient information in the previous VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee and bilateral hand conditions.

Service connection is denied for a right knee condition, left knee condition, and right shoulder condition.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea remains pending as the VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding its relationship to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability rating.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for his left knee disability is granted. The claims for service connection for right wrist and hip disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The left knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 30 percent, also denied.,Separate ratings of 20 percent are granted for meniscus tears in both knees.

The Veteran's right knee disability is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.,The Veteran's heart disability and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to a duty to assist error in not verifying herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran's heart disability and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to a duty to assist error in not verifying herbicide exposure during service.

The Board denied service connection for low back and right knee disabilities, finding that the conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, tinnitus, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from March 7, 2016 to January 17, 2019.