Knee Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including lower back, right and left knee, left lower extremity neurological, and chest disabilities, need further development due to incomplete medical records. The case is being remanded to obtain all relevant service treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and alcohol abuse disorder are granted service connection. Bilateral elbow disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 16, 2012 was denied as he had maintained full-time employment and earned more than the poverty threshold during that period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records related to his bilateral knee surgeries and recovery process. The claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his bilateral knee surgical scars, will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded six issues of service connection for various knee and hip conditions, as well as arthritis in the left foot. The reasons include insufficient evidence to determine if the pre-existing lumbar spine disorder was aggravated by service or if the left foot arthritis is related to a vehicle accident during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's increased rating claims for lumbar spine, left and right knee disabilities, and right shoulder derangement remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left leg thrombophlebitis, right shoulder rotator cuff syndrome, and knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition is granted. The claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee meniscal tear with internal derangement and degenerative joint disease is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for hiatal hernia, bilateral carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome, and right knee disability. However, these claims are remanded as further development is needed to determine the etiology of any diagnosed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected back and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral feet disabilities, PFB, and right knee disability due to insufficient reasons and bases in the previous decisions. The appeals are now pending again with the Board.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disability and has also granted entitlement to service connection for aggravation of a right knee disability due to his service-connected left knee disability. The decision is based on new evidence provided by the Veteran, including VA and private medical opinions that support an etiological nexus between the Veteran's right knee disability and his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 40 percent for the period from July 3, 2013 to July 2, 2020. The left knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of left and right knee disabilities prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for the service-connected right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for limitation of extension, 10 percent for limitation of flexion, 30 percent for instability, and 20 percent for frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. The combined rating results in a total of 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for compliance with previous directives, including obtaining VA and SSA records. Addendum opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of current cervical spine, lumbar spine, left foot, and left knee disabilities. A psychiatric examination is also required to assess PTSD severity.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, left knee and leg disability, and hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,There is no direct evidence showing that the Veteran's current disabilities were incurred during his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's cervical spine, right hip, left hip and left knee disabilities for additional development. The Veteran is also entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left hip disability (limitation of abduction) from November 26, 2019.