Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete VA medical records and missing audiometric test results.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee and bilateral shoulder conditions were incurred during his active service due to the physical demands of military training and duties. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage, left knee. The initial rating for chondromalacia of the left knee remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30% from May 21, 2010 onwards. The claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease, rendered him unemployable as of December 15, 2010. Effective from that date, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post total knee replacement, is rated at 30 percent from March 1, 2018. The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination regarding flare-ups and their impact on functional movement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The Veteran's PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and sleep disturbance are granted with a 50% rating. The Veteran's cervical strain is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's right shoulder strain is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's right knee tendonitis with shin splints is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's BPH is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's left shin splint is denied as not warranting a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with shin splints are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis, and its relationship to his service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including myopia, left and right wrist disorders, left and right ankle disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, ulcers, a right quadricep disorder, asthma, Lupus (Collagen Vascular Disease and Polyarthritis), osteoporosis with osteopenia, left hand and finger disorders, right hand and finger disorders, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, left foot hammer toes, right foot hammer toes, anemia, and skin disorder. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions due to lack of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for left knee instability, but denied an increased rating for left knee strain.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for the Veteran's right knee disability from April 10, 2015, until October 1, 2015. This is based on symptoms including frequent episodes of locking and pain in the joint.

The Veteran's lower back disorder and left knee disability have been granted service connection. The right hip and right knee issues are still under review.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, as well as obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran is also being asked to provide private medical records from Cleveland Clinic.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by arthritis and meniscus tear post-meniscectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent for instability of the knee. The Board has granted a separate rating for effusion into the joint.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination regarding the Veteran's complaints of lateral instability when standing from a sitting or squatting position. The claim is now pending for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, granted service connection for asthma secondary to obstructive sleep apnea, and granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to depression.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is granted a separate evaluation of 10 percent for slight instability, but an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for painful motion is denied. The low back and left knee disabilities are remanded.

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