Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection of various conditions, including left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and right upper extremity neurological disability were denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease was granted with an effective date earlier than August 23, 2016.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, left knee, and bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral hip disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 1, 2016 due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his service-connected left knee disability and his current right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities due to outstanding records and need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to a lack of documentation regarding the Veteran's attempted enlistment into the United States Army in May 1976.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability and entitlement to a TDIU were denied due to his failure to appear at the scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's left knee arthroplasty is rated at a 60 percent since October 1, 2019. The TDIU claim was denied as the evidence does not show unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen her previously denied claims for service connection for various knee, hip, and ankle disorders as secondary to her service-connected bilateral foot disabilities. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are caused by her service-connected bilateral feet disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the right knee receiving a separate rating for limitation of extension. The Veteran also received a TDIU from July 19, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulpous at L4-5 and L5-S1 status post microdiscectomy left L4-5 with degenerative disc disease is granted a 40% evaluation, effective from the date of claim. The Veteran's left knee flexion prior to August 13, 2012, and left knee total replacement from October 1, 2013 are both granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee chondromalacia due to a lack of VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diverticulosis, epididymitis, a hernia, and a left knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has ordered additional development for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and a retrospective medical opinion from the April 2009 VA examiner. The claims are now remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee strain, fatigue, and eczema as they are not related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, bilateral shoulder, bilateral wrist and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing all raised theories of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to its inextricability with other pending claims, specifically increased ratings for left knee residuals. The TDIU issue will be reconsidered after all related claims have been fully developed.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim of reinstating a 10 percent disability rating for right knee instability as moot because the July 2019 rating decision that reinstated the 10 percent evaluation constituted a full grant of benefits.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, including his removed semilunar cartilage and DJD, is currently rated at 20% since April 30, 2019. This rating reflects limitation of flexion to a degree less than 15 degrees.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorders and a digestive disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and active duty service.