Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis and posttraumatic left knee degenerative joint disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and bilateral eye disability to obtain additional medical opinions. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are also being considered.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further evaluation as the current VA examination did not provide necessary measurements and the Veteran testified that his condition has worsened since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee pain (osteoarthritis) and left knee pain (s/p total knee replacement) due to a lack of contemporaneous medical evidence. The Veteran and his spouse provided testimony regarding their belief that the Veteran injured his knees during service, but did not seek treatment.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not require regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected conditions, as he retained the ability to perform most daily activities with assistance from others.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, but the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hallux valgus and nail condition is still pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left foot and left knee disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's complaints of continuity of symptomatology, in-service treatment records, and parachute jumps were not considered.

The Board has ordered remand for further development on several service connection claims, including joint pain in the hands and feet, skin disorder to the feet, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The issues remain on appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient recent medical evidence and the Veteran's testimony indicating worsening of his knee and shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating of left knee disability and service connection for hypertension. The current rating for left knee disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran was granted a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective November 28, 2007. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable beginning February 8, 2006.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions due to incomplete development of records, including VA medical records from Dr. DeHaan.

The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent, which is the highest available under Diagnostic Code 5271. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For his right knee disability, the Veteran has been granted ratings for limitation of extension (20%) and limitation of flexion (10%). These are the maximum schedular ratings available under Diagnostic Codes 5261 and 5260 respectively.

The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings for knee disabilities must be remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and need for additional development.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right leg disabilities are granted at 20 percent. A 40 percent rating is granted for the back disability from July 1, 2013.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted with a combined rating of 40 percent, effective September 9, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease and limitation of extension, as well as a compensable rating for left thumb avulsion fracture residuals and scar, have been denied. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding service connection for right knee disorder.,Service connection for a right knee disability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his muscle tension headaches prior to November 15, 2010 and from that date onwards. His wrist sprain, ankle disability, thoracic outlet syndrome of the right shoulder and neck, and residuals of a right knee injury status-post lysis of plica were all denied increased ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine condition and left knee condition.