Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability, back disability, headaches secondary to PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea is not reopened. The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating effective from February 8, 2018. An earlier effective date for the increased PTSD rating cannot be established.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee condition, specifically whether it is related to service-connected right leg conditions. The AOJ must obtain additional records and provide an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left knee strain associated with left hallux valgus deformity was denied. However, from November 18, 2019, the Veteran is granted a separate 20 percent rating for limited flexion of her left knee strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to warrant higher ratings, and the claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder prior to May 18, 2015 and denied a higher rating. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's employment status and income. The AOJ is instructed to complete additional development, including obtaining a VA Form 21-8940 from the Veteran, and then refer his TDIU claim for extraschedular consideration if appropriate.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his September 2020 left knee treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, specifically chondromalacia and arthritis of the right knee with limitation of flexion, and arthritis of the left knee with limitation of flexion, are rated at 10 percent each for limitation of extension from July 27, 2020. The appeals for higher ratings based on limitation of flexion have been denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent disabling for total knee replacement. From January 12, 2017 until April 18, 2019, he was granted a 10 percent rating for slight instability. Since April 18, 2019, his right knee disability is rated at 20 percent due to moderate instability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations and a need for updated medical records. The Veteran's right knee condition will be reviewed again with new evidence and an examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis and degenerative joint disease are granted as service connected.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbar spondylosis and degenerative joint disease is also granted as service connected.,Service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left knee traumatic arthritis has been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

Service connection is granted for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine. Service connection is denied for bilateral knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the left knee, secondary to a service-connected fracture. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need to verify periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The VA will also arrange for a VA audiology examination and orthopedic examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his tinnitus and current right knee, shoulder, and neck disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and left knee disabilities prior to November 13, 2015 were denied as the evidence did not show flexion or extension limitations that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his post-operative fracture of the left femur, now with degenerative arthritis of the left knee joint remains in appellate status. The Board has found that the evidence does not more nearly approximate extension limited to 30 degrees and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 30 percent effective April 2, 2015. The rating for limitation of extension remains denied. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability and increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine spondylosis with intervertebral disc syndrome status post discectomy L5-S1, radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right lower extremity, and radiculopathy, femoral nerve, right lower extremity were denied as there is no current evidence of a right knee disability. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10%.

The Board has remanded the case due to new and material evidence presented by the Veteran, reopening her previously denied claim for service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease associated with status post left total knee arthroplasty. The case is now pending before the RO for further review.