Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left foot disorders. The VA is requested to obtain expert opinions on these issues.

Service connection is granted for left calf cramp and pain disability.,Service connection is granted for right calf cramp and pain disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and a right knee disability, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The lower back disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's lower back disability, bilateral foot disorder (including paresthesias), and patellofemoral syndrome of the knees have been granted service connection.,New evidence has reopened claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his entitlement to a higher rating for total right knee replacement with degenerative arthritis and right knee instability, as well as TDIU. The AOJ should request detailed employment information from the Veteran and provide him an opportunity to submit supporting documentation.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has ordered additional development for the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for hypogeusia, service connection for a neck disorder, service connection for a back disorder, service connection for a right knee disorder, and service connection for chronic right leg numbness. The Veteran will be scheduled for an examination to determine the current severity of his hypogeusia and medical opinions will be obtained regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been granted, with the left knee rated at 10% since August 31, 2007, and the right knee rated at 10% since January 17, 2013.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right hip and left knee disabilities caused by Euflexxa shots, finding no evidence of carelessness or negligence on the part of VA.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disability based on limitation of motion. However, he is granted a separate 10 percent rating for mild instability.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty and there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service.,LLE radiculopathy is secondary to lumbar IVDS, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent effective August 19, 2013. The claim for higher ratings prior to October 14, 2020, and after that date, are denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 30% rating from February 16, 2010 to May 4, 2010.

The Veteran's melanomas and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records. The below-the-knee amputation of the right leg is also being remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claims for melanomas, peripheral neuropathy, and below-the-knee amputation of the right leg will be reconsidered after further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding no competent evidence of any current diagnosis or functional impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis, but remanded the issues of bilateral pes planus and right knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than specific phobia was denied. The reduction from a 100 percent to a 20 percent rating for his left shoulder disability, status post arthroscopic surgery, effective February 1, 2016, was upheld. His claims for higher ratings for the left shoulder and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis were denied. His claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied. The Veteran's specific phobia, bilateral hearing loss, cholecystectomy residuals, cholecystectomy scars, and right knee scars all received initial compensable ratings. Finally, his TDIU claim was denied.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, left ankle disability, and right foot disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative arthritis and patellofemoral syndrome are less likely than not incurred in or caused by complaints of knee pain that occurred during service to include parachute jumps.,There is no evidence of a current left ankle disability, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current right foot disability was incurred in service.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability and left third finger tendonitis were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.