Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability and an evaluation in excess of 20% for post-phlebitic syndrome, right leg. The appeal was granted to restore the 20% rating for post-phlebitic syndrome, effective July 24, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either knee, except for granting a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The decision on these issues will be reconsidered after further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding a claimed left knee injury during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being sent back for further development.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU, increased ratings for various knee and back disabilities, service connection for shoulder, ankle, foot, and sleep apnea conditions, as well as reopening of his hypertension claim are all remanded. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's left thumb disability is rated at 10% since October 25, 2012 and denied for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee replacement is rated at 100% from December 29, 2014 to January 31, 2016 and then rated at 30% since February 1, 2016.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional procedural development is necessary and the claims for increased ratings for right knee and lower back disabilities are REMANDED to allow for consideration of all evidence received since the April 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, residuals of left side epididymis and hypogonadism, and chronic sinusitis. The Veteran's appeals for service connection for seizures, right knee disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, left eye disability, otitis media, rosacea, and basal cell carcinoma on the face are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of a VA examination addressing the relationship between active duty service and any current disabilities. The Veteran is presumed to have incurred these conditions during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim is now granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and other issues. The Veteran's service-connected right knee and left hip disabilities are still under review.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD and TDIU are remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased initial ratings for his lumbar spine, right ankle, left ankle, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically related to flare-ups and functional loss.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection, while the claims for colon resection, gastroesophageal reflux disease, right wrist condition, right knee condition, low back condition, bilateral foot condition, and ingrown toenails are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her right knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show flexion limited to 60 degrees or extension limited to 5 degrees, which would warrant a separate noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261. The Veteran's current limitation of flexion is at worst to 90 degrees with pain, but this does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5260. Extension has been consistently full (zero degrees), so she cannot be rated under Diagnostic Code 5261 either.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and denied an earlier effective date for TDIU. The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is not related to active service or her service-connected right foot disability, and she was found employable prior to October 19, 2015.