Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee arthritis from December 16, 2008 to October 15, 2019 was denied. The claim for a higher rating for the same condition from October 15, 2019 is also denied.,An earlier effective date prior to May 4, 2016 for a 20 percent initial disability rating for service-connected right knee instability has been granted. However, the issue of TDIU from December 16, 2008 to May 4, 2016 is still pending and will be remanded.,TDIU was granted from May 4, 2016 onwards.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran's current knee conditions are established, but VA needs to provide additional opinions addressing their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle disorders due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected postoperative residuals, left medial meniscectomy with internal derangement is denied.,Effective August 29, 2007, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent disability rating for instability of the left knee. However, this issue has been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD is also being remanded as there may be pertinent private treatment records that have not been obtained yet.,A TDIU rating will be considered, but the Veteran must complete a VA Form 21-8940 and provide any necessary authorization to obtain his private medical records.

The Board has denied increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's functional loss does not warrant a higher rating. The TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for DM2 with ED, arthritis of the bilateral elbows and left knee to include gout, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The effective date for the grant of service connection for DM2 with ED was set at July 24, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial evaluation of PTSD was denied. The Board also found that the issues regarding service connection for a narrowing of L4-5 disc and degenerative changes in right knee need to be remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to uncertainty regarding the nature of her claims and potential eligibility for accrued benefits. The AOJ needs to clarify whether she is seeking substitution or accrued benefits, and then proceed with adjudication.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete development from a previous remand. Further examination is needed to determine if any current bilateral knee disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and right-hand disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the conditions and service. Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder as there were insufficient stressor events reported by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee disability, low back disability, left foot disability, bronchitis, sinusitis, and headache. The case is returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms of pain and muscle spasms were primarily manifested as a moderately-severe disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle spasms and a right knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on regular aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him helpless enough to require such assistance prior to May 18, 2017.

The Veteran's right knee DJD, status post arthroscopy, loose body removal, and chondroplasty lateral femoral condyle is rated at 10 percent prior to February 28, 2011, and from May 1, 2011. The Board denied an increased rating for the right knee DJD.

The Board has restored the Veteran's left knee rating from 20 percent to 20 percent effective October 1, 2013. The evidence did not show a sustained improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back disability and right knee disabilities due to procedural and evidentiary inadequacies. The AOJ is required to obtain updated VA treatment records, request private health care provider records, and schedule a retrospective examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from VISTA, and the claim of reopening service connection for a left knee disability is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being needed, including a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee, status post arthropathy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional VA examinations and further development of evidence due to insufficient information regarding flare-ups and functional loss.