Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not show that his conditions warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.,Effective dates prior to May 2019 for service connection for left and right knee instability have also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee replacement surgery has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and upper airway resistance syndrome are rated at 50% each, effective from the date of the VA examination. The Board also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 20% for dislocated semilunar cartilage and a separate 10% rating for instability prior to January 31, 2018. From March 1, 2019, the Veteran is in receipt of a 60% disability rating following total knee replacement.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for a right knee disability, heart disability, and respiratory disability. However, these claims are still pending as they need further medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and consideration, including addressing whether his methadone use causes side effects that impact his knee symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the right shoulder disability, and the left knee disability claim was withdrawn prior to the transfer of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, left knee disability, right knee disability, and bilateral great toe bunion deformity with arthritis due to incomplete verification of his service records.

The Veteran's PTSD and left knee disability were evaluated, with the ratings for PTSD denied in excess of 30 percent prior to March 28, 2017; and/or in excess of 70 percent from that date. The rating for left knee disability was granted at 10 percent prior to October 17, 2016; 20 percent from that date (first for dislocated semilunar cartilage, then 20 percent combined for symptomatic post semilunar cartilage removal and arthritis with painful motion) to March 18, 2019; and 30 percent combined (10 percent for limited extension, 10 percent for symptomatic post semilunar cartilage removal, and 10 percent for slight instability) from that date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as her current conditions do not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.,The Veteran's right shoulder injury was not shown to have had its onset in service or be otherwise related to service. Her current condition is also not related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee disability and denied his claim for esophageal cancer. The heart disease and bilateral foot disorder claims are not reopened.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent since June 30, 2015. The appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection and remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions, including right knee arthroscopy with chondromalacia, right knee scar status post arthroscopy, left knee osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hand tremor, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right and left ankle disorders, right and left restless leg syndromes, and right and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome. The decision is based on the absence of a current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has found that there is insufficient medical evidence to support the denial of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, and thus remands the case for a new opinion from a VA clinician.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received to support the claims. The Veteran is also denied a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings for various conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected pes planus with hammertoes. The case is being returned due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a bilateral foot disability, left clavicle fracture, and various knee and ankle conditions, rated at 80 percent combined, do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and experience. The Board denied the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his claimed psychiatric, sleep apnea, cervical spine, and bilateral knee disabilities.