Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including recurrent subluxation and patellar instability, are rated at 30 percent each. His right eye corneal scars/opacities with conjunctivitis and dry eye syndrome prior to February 13, 2020, is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities as secondary to bilateral pes planus, and for a low back disability as secondary to bilateral pes planus. The claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied. Service connection for a respiratory disability is reopened.

The Board has remanded the claims due to unclear medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine and left knee disorders are related to service. Clarification is needed from VA clinicians.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, medial and lateral meniscal tears, and residuals of anterior cruciate ligament tear, as well as left knee osteoarthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of continuous bilateral knee symptoms since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability within one year after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The left knee DJD and right knee recurrent subluxation are rated at 10% and 30%, respectively, while the left knee lateral instability is rated at 20%. No new evidence was presented to reopen any previously denied claims.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated as 20 percent and 10 percent disabling, respectively. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either knee.

The Board has remanded the claims for B cell lymphoma, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, right hip disability, and chronic low back disability with degenerative joint disease due to secondary service-connected left hip disability. The VA is required to obtain Social Security Administration records and provide additional medical opinions regarding the relationship of these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder due to incomplete VA medical opinion and need for additional private treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders and hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B, left knee disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability were denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the hepatitis claim. The left knee and back disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of a current diagnosis or medical etiology.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disability did not begin during service and is not related to an in-service injury, thus denying service connection. The right leg disability issue was remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's chondromalacia left knee with medial meniscus tear is rated at 10 percent prior to February 27, 2020 and 20 percent thereafter. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee lateral instability was granted beginning February 27, 2020. The Veteran's dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion is rated at 20 percent effective February 27, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's STRs did not document any relevant symptoms or diagnoses related to his current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding past severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent since December 9, 2019. The Board found no evidence to support a higher rating based on the current symptoms and diagnostic codes available.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease and patellofemoral syndrome are rated at 20 percent for limitation of flexion, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining treatment records and providing examinations.