Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar strain/myositis and service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee instability and limitation of flexion, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for proper adjudication of the claims to include affording the Veteran an opportunity to undergo another VA examination.

The Board has determined that new evidence received after the May 2015 denial warrants readjudication of the claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The case is now remanded to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the VA did not provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disabilities, and thus the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 30 percent for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability as of May 22, 2017. The rating was granted based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since November 14, 2012 for limitation of extension and from June 26, 2014 for severe instability. The current ratings are granted based on the severity of symptoms as described in the medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for tinnitus was not granted, the rating for bilateral hearing loss was not granted in excess of 40 percent, and the rating for a left knee disability was not granted in excess of 30 percent. Service connection for gout of the left ankle, right ankle, and left toe was also denied.

The Veteran's ratings for his bilateral knee conditions were reduced, and a separate rating was granted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. A new 50% rating was granted for arthritis with limitation of motion as of July 17, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate VA examinations that did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding her in-service knee injuries and headaches. The claims are now pending for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis and denied service connection for a left knee disability. Service connection is granted for asbestosis due to in-service asbestos exposure, but the left knee disability is not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ulnar neuropathy and remanded the cases of left knee meniscal tear and right shoulder rotator cuff tear.

The Veteran's right knee DJD was manifested by degenerative arthritis with limitation of flexion of no less than to 130 degrees, even when considering pain and flare-ups. The Board denied the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 1, 2011.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for DJD, left knee prior to August 30, 2017, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied as his condition does not warrant such evaluations based on limitation of flexion or extension.

The Board has remanded the cases of a rating in excess of 20 percent for the residuals of a fracture of the left patella and total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, and denied his requests for increased ratings for right knee and left knee disabilities due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back, right knee, and left knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) is also granted on a direct basis.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate development, specifically a lack of an adequate VA examination. The Veteran's knee conditions are being reviewed again for proper evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of appeals by the Veteran.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for residuals of a right leg stress fracture, left knee fracture, or pelvis stress fracture.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and his military service.