Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain VA treatment records, including fee emergency room documentation and physical therapy records from September 2013 and September 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to May 28, 2015 are remanded due to inadequate VA examination. The rating for right lower extremity nerve disability is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and bilateral knee disabilities have been granted initial ratings of 50 percent for the entire rating period from May 16, 2013. The Veteran has also been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion and the need for a new addendum opinion considering the Veteran's lay assertions of continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is rated at 60 percent since June 27, 2019. The right knee disability was also rated at 60 percent effective June 27, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition and left shoulder condition due to new evidence received since the June 2016 statement of the case. The AOJ must consider this additional evidence, schedule a VA examination, and readjudicate the issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his knee disabilities and service connection for a right shoulder disability were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's knee conditions did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other functional impairments.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection. Service connection for left and right knee disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for further evidence. The right and left ankle disabilities are currently rated at 20% each, while the left knee scar remains at 0%. Further examination or evidence is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and a duty to assist error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left ankle disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The right ankle disability, tendonitis and lateral collateral ligament sprain, as well as the right knee osteoarthritis and meniscal tear are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 10%, the left hip disability at 10%, and all other conditions were not granted service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical disability. The right knee, left knee, bilateral flatfeet, and sleep apnea issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not related to his military service and denied this claim. The left knee disorder issue requires further examination as the VA examiner did not address whether the preexisting condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee conditions and scars, do not render him unemployable prior to May 2, 2018. The evidence shows he was capable of performing sedentary employment but not heavy or strenuous physical labor.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left knee arthritis are granted service connection. The right knee condition is remanded for further examination to determine if it is secondary to the service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome, shin splints of the left leg, and residuals of degenerative arthritis of the right ankle. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequacies in previous VA opinions and the need for further development regarding the nature and etiology of his right knee disability, bilateral heel spurs, and heart condition.