Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability and leg length discrepancy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to his service-connected left knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee strain that is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee strain, finding in favor of the Veteran and resolving doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's endometriosis is rated at 30 percent since the appeal period began, and her scars on neck and breast are rated at 10 percent. The Veteran also received a grant of initial ratings for right knee chondromalacia (10 percent) and left knee chondromalacia (10 percent).,The Veteran's low blood pressure claim was denied as there is no evidence of functional impairment due to the condition during the appeal period.,Her right ear hearing loss remains at 0 percent, with a May 2018 VA examination showing her hearing acuity has not improved enough for an increased rating.

The Board has vacated the July 6, 2020 decision that denied service connection for left knee disability, bilateral hip arthritis, arthritis of the lumbar spine, and arthritis of the cervical spine due to a lack of due process.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a sleep disorder and bilateral knee disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed sleep disorder, including insomnia, and his sleep problems are attributed to his service-connected PTSD. For the bilateral knee disabilities, the Board noted an inadequate examination and remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision is based on credible testimony from the Veteran and his wife regarding in-service injuries and their ongoing effects.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee disability is granted. The claim for left leg disability, including secondary to a service-connected condition, is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple conditions including a right shoulder disability, chest pains, bilateral foot fungus, a right knee disability, a cervical spine disability, and breathing difficulties. The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims that these disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's increased ratings claims for left and right knee degenerative joint disease based on limitation of flexion, as well as instability, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations, duty to assist errors, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of right and left knee injuries due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 11, 2014 for the award of a TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following gainful employment as of that date.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to August 26, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for left total knee replacement as secondary to the service-connected right knee strain status post knee replacement, finding no relationship between any currently diagnosed left knee disability and the Veteran's active duty service or the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and an addendum opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disorder is related to her pre-existing condition or a service-connected injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was denied in a June 2015 rating decision. The Board found the June 2015 decision final and reopened the claim on June 15, 2016. The RO assigned an effective date of June 15, 2016 for the grant of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee arthritis, chronic pain syndrome, and chronic insomnia. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his bilateral ankle disabilities. The issues are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability. The decision on service connection remains pending.