Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and right knee instability are all rated at their maximum schedular ratings. The Veteran is granted initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee and left hip conditions, which were related to her in-service injuries. The VA needs to obtain new opinions that consider the Veteran's lay reports of continued pain following service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability due to the Veteran's in-service injury, with evidence showing that the condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including chronic foot disability, bilateral elbow disabilities, hypertension, respiratory disorder (asthma, chronic bronchitis, or COPD), right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals as the Veteran withdrew her claims through a signed Appeals Satisfaction Notice in July 2020.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service, and whether it was caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that new evidence was submitted within a year of the January 2018 rating decision, making it new and material. The Veteran's representative contends that his sleep apnea is due to weight gain caused by service-connected conditions. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left ankle disability and posttraumatic headaches due to insufficient development. The Veteran's current left ankle disability is not shown to have had its onset in service or be related to active military service, while his right knee disability may be related to service based on medical history provided by VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder and left knee disorder, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for reopening of his service connection claims for right knee, left knee, and neck disabilities, all secondary to a service-connected back disability. The claims are remanded for further examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in not considering the Veteran's lay statements regarding his left knee symptoms, and a need for an addendum opinion from the April 2017 VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The matter is again before the Board.

The appeals regarding service connection for left knee and hip disabilities as secondary to right knee disability, along with rating claims for the right knee, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated as 10 percent prior to June 10, 2019 and 20 percent from that date. The right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated as 20 percent since June 10, 2019.,Left knee strain was not granted a higher initial rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his in-service injuries, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not meeting the schedular requirements for TDIU, and his employment in a protected work environment.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's right knee scar, finding that there were no other disabling effects not considered in ratings provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back condition, right knee conditions, and left knee conditions due to inadequate reasoning in the August 2016 VA examination. The case is returned to secure an addendum opinion that addresses whether the claimed conditions preexisted service or were aggravated by service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence supports a finding of in-service injury and current disability.