Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee dislocated semilunar cartilage was denied. Separate ratings of 10 percent were granted for painful limitation of flexion and slight instability.

The Veteran's right knee instability and osteochondritis dissecans prior to June 23, 2017 do not warrant a rating higher than the current 10 percent ratings.,For the period prior to June 23, 2017, the Veteran’s right knee disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under Codes 5260 and 5261.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to issues related to service connection for right hip and knee disabilities, as well as an increased evaluation for a cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and determine appropriate disability ratings. The claims are being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of retrospective opinion and proper consideration of flare-ups during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his knee disabilities and hearing loss has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for left and right knee conditions, as they are related to the Veteran's reported in-service fall or strenuous activities performed as a motor vehicle operator. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion regarding these issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine degenerative changes, low back spasm/strain, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted. The claim for a disability claimed as joint arthritis other than the cervical spine, low back, and right knee is denied. The rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was granted a 100% rating from February 18, 2013 to June 25, 2015. The claims for increased ratings of his right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a lumbar spine disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinea pedis with onychomycosis was denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the former or amended regulations.,Service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability were all denied. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosed low back disability, nor did he have evidence of arthritis within one year following discharge from active service.

The Veteran's left knee DJD is rated at 10 percent, effective April 30, 2010. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability is granted from the same date.

The Veteran's right knee and ankle disabilities have been granted initial ratings, with the right knee receiving separate ratings for painful extension and instability. The right ankle disability received a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD. The RO must attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s in-service stressors and schedule a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders found.

The Veteran's TDIU appeal is dismissed as moot because he has a combined schedular 100 percent disability rating for his service-connected disabilities and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is inapplicable.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because his timely substantive appeal was not received within 60 days of the October 16, 2019 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a right knee strain was received on September 30, 2009. As there was no pending, unadjudicated claim prior to this date, the effective date cannot be earlier than September 30, 2009.

The Veteran's right hip disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no evidence to support a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or significant limitation in motion.,For her bilateral knee disabilities, she was denied increased ratings as there was no evidence of instability, dislocated meniscus, or other conditions that would warrant higher ratings.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for knee conditions and denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The Veteran was advised of his appellate rights but did not appeal the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee and hip disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, necessitating remand for further examination.