Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a sleep disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or functional impairment.,An increased 20 percent rating, but no higher, has been granted for the right shoulder/collarbone disability from November 12, 2010 to October 15, 2018. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied after that date.,A 10 percent rating, but no higher, has been granted for the left thumb fracture from November 3, 2011 to October 15, 2018. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied after that date.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for the right ankle is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for the left knee is denied.,An increased 20 percent rating, but no higher, has been granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from March 4, 2011 to October 15, 2018. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied after that date.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for sciatic radiculopathy in the right lower extremity is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), DDD of the lumbar spine with occasional numbness of the lower extremities, and chondromalacia patellae of the right knee due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded two cases: one for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for chrondromalacia of the left knee and another for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for residuals of a meniscal tear of the right knee. The remand is due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's reports of flare-ups during periods of use.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him bedridden, confined to his immediate premises, or unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. Therefore, he is not eligible for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer and GERD, but denied service connection for a right knee disability. The claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection was granted for skin cancer based on the Veteran's credible report of exposure to smoke from oil fires during service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to his service-connected right knee disability, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for medial and lateral instability of the right knee remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right knee disability was rated at 10% and the rhomboid muscle strain was also rated at 10%. No effective date is provided as the decisions are final.

The Veteran's left knee DJD and right knee DJD are rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Codes, with a separate rating for residuals of meniscectomy. The Veteran's post phlebitis syndrome is not rated higher due to persistent edema and stasis pigmentation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and left knee disorders due to inadequate development. The AOJ is required to arrange for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran has current diagnoses of these conditions, their relationship to her service-connected right calcaneal stress fracture, and any aggravation by that condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee conditions are related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.,Service connection was denied for bilateral pes planus, bilateral heel spurs, and bilateral foot degenerative arthritis as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims and related rating and effective date determinations for the Veteran's ankle and knee disabilities, as well as a claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for duodenal ulcer. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations, and further adjudication is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee strain is denied, and he is granted a separate 10 percent rating for mild instability of the service-connected right knee beginning October 31, 2017. The appeal for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether the reduction in the rating for the Veteran's postoperative right knee condition, from 20 percent to 0 percent, effective June 1, 2011, was proper and entitlement to a higher rating for the Veteran’s service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and consequent pain, as well as his left shoulder pain and 'Parkinson’s-like' tremors, are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right knee disability due to insufficient medical examination findings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or chronic symptoms following service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, left knee, and right knee conditions. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service injuries.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's pre-service knee troubles and the nature of his current knee conditions. The Veteran is asked to provide a statement detailing his history, Workers’ Compensation records are sought, and a VA examination is scheduled.

The Board denied increased ratings for left knee chondromalacia patella with instability and left knee posttraumatic arthritis, as well as right knee instability. The Veteran's claims were remanded but not fully resolved.