Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, with a separate 20 percent rating for right knee locking and effusion suggestive of cartilage dislocation. The Board found the evidence did not support higher ratings based on instability or arthritis.

The Board has withdrawn the ratings for major depressive disorder, pes planus, anemia, chronic conjunctivitis, and allergic rhinitis. The claims of service connection for bilateral shin splints and left knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability and above-the-knee left lower extremity amputation are service-connected. The Board granted a temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery, and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right knee limitation of extension was denied. The claim for service connection for neck disorder was also denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the current condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, as well as his increased rating claim for right knee arthritis, were denied. The TDIU claim was also denied.

Your appeal for a higher rating on your right knee arthritis has been dismissed because the Veteran passed away before a decision could be made.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient development and potential competency issues with the VA examiners.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is denied because he does not have service-connected left knee or back disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent for the entire appeal period, but a higher rating is denied.,For the right shoulder condition, a 20 percent initial rating was granted effective August 11, 2020. A higher rating is denied prior to that date and from August 11, 2020 onwards.,The Veteran's right knee condition does not warrant an increased evaluation.,The Veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease does not warrant a higher initial evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left and right knees, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current knee conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided in October 2019 were inadequate for adjudicative purposes. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to provide addendum VA medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including right ear hearing loss, low back condition, left knee condition, left hip condition, cholecystitis, and GERD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his in-service injury and noting inconsistent statements from the Veteran regarding when he first experienced symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder and a right knee disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have chronic or recurrent symptoms prior to post-service injuries. The VA examiners provided significant probative value in their opinions.,Service connection was also remanded for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient reasoning in a previous medical opinion. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral shin splints due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for hemorrhoidal and knee cream is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA Handbook sections.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left and right knee disabilities, as well as their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a finding that her condition manifested with limitation of flexion of 30 degrees or less at any time during the appeal period, warranting the higher 20 percent evaluation under DC 5260. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity neurological disorder (including sciatica) was remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly address the Veteran's right knee/leg disability claim, as there are gaps in the medical evidence and inconsistencies with previous opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected ankle sprains and plantar fasciitis. Service connection for a kidney condition is denied.