Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee arthritis and left knee ACL tear prior to November 15, 2018 were denied. From January 1, 2020, the Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent for limited extension and a separate rating of 20 percent for meniscal disability. The right shoulder disability was granted a 40 percent rating from June 19, 2019 onwards.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, increased rating for left knee disability, and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee DJD and strain, OSA, and depressive disorder secondary to service-connected physical disabilities.,The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's left knee DJD and strain, OSA, and depressive disorder are related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inconsistencies in the May 2018 VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s preexisting rheumatic fever condition worsened during military service.

The Board has denied service connection for low back and right knee disabilities, finding that the conditions are not related to service or residuals of a right fibula fracture.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability has been granted a rating of 10 percent, effective April 9, 2010. Service connection for peroneal neuropathy of the left lower extremity is also granted as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues have been remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of flexion and instability, is granted with a rating of 20 percent prior to July 24, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, as it is unclear if the current opinions address the Veteran's reports of continued pain and symptoms since service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is determined to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine and plantar fasciitis disabilities, with all doubts resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at the maximum available rating of 30 percent, based on limitation of motion. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence that the disability warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to March 7, 2016 did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating due to insufficient occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran’s lumbar arthritis has not resulted in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. However, several issues remain pending and need further review.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, right shoulder, cervical spine (post-C2-6 fusion), and lumbar spine DJD as the evidence did not support a causal relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand multiple claims for further development due to a significant gap in the record and the need to obtain updated VA medical records. The Veteran is also asked to provide any private treatment records he may have.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations obtained are inadequate and requires additional opinions to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including cervical spine, left knee, right knee, right wrist, and right shoulder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's dental disorder. The issues related to increased evaluations for service-connected hip and knee conditions are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for cervical, low back, right knee, left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities as well as vertigo and lung/breathing disability. The Board found no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.,Service connection was not granted on a direct basis due to lack of a medical nexus between the current conditions and active service.