Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating at any time from February 22, 2014.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's low back, neck, or knee conditions as they are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy associated with DDD of the lumbar spine, and bilateral knee arthritis have been granted service connection. Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and bilateral ankle disability has not been established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and TDIU due to issues with compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 8, 2019. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding his unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to toxins, as well as his knee and back disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for hemorrhoids, right knee disability, lumbosacral spine disability, and cervical spine disability.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities have been denied. The VA has determined that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to unclear nature and etiology of the claimed disabilities, including whether they are diseases or injuries incurred during periods of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) or Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence of chronic in-service injury or disease and no established continuity of symptomatology. The Board also found that the current condition is not related to any specific exposure event during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cirrhosis of the liver and bilateral knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will need further VA medical evaluations to determine if his conditions are related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his lumbosacral strain, left knee chondromalacia, and right knee disorder, are being evaluated further.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, a mental disorder, and various musculoskeletal conditions. However, these claims have been denied as there is no evidence to support the presence or causation of any of these conditions during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left inguinal hernia hydrocele and orchiopexy, left inguinal hernia scar, right hip disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, RUE CTS, and LUE CTS have all been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 30 percent for right knee anterior cruciate ligament tear has been denied. The Board found that the objective range of motion findings throughout the appeal period showed extension limited to, at worst, 20 degrees and flexion limited to, at worst, 90 degrees, even in contemplation of functional loss due to pain and other factors.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral elbow, knee, and lower back disabilities are at least as likely as not related to service. However, the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle and wrist disabilities have been remanded due to insufficient nexus opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of any increased disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and a need for additional development of the Veteran's claims file.