Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 40 percent combined (20 percent under Code 5258 and 20 percent under Code 5261) from August 13, 2020 onwards.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities as they are not secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for COPD, rating higher than 20 percent for low back strain with facet arthropathy, and rating higher than 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome with pes anserinus. The issue of rating higher than 10 percent for right knee strain remains remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The cases of COPD, left knee condition, and bilateral hearing loss are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating increase for his right knee condition and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated in excess of 10 percent.,There is no current diagnosis of a left leg disability, and the preponderance of evidence does not support service connection for this condition.,Similarly, there is no current diagnosis of a right leg disability, and the preponderance of evidence does not support service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's left knee disability has been diagnosed as arthritis, but the preponderance of evidence does not support service connection due to lack of in-service injury or disease.,Similarly, there is no current diagnosis of a right knee disability, and the preponderance of evidence does not support service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been diagnosed as arthritis with myelopathy and radiculopathy. The preponderance of evidence does not support service connection due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including for opinions on service connection for low back and left knee disabilities, as well as coronary artery disease. The claims are not about exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War, or any other specific exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and tinnitus, but has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral knee disability, ovarian cysts, and lupus due to lack of adequate medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disabilities due to insufficient rationale in the July 2020 VA medical opinions. The matter is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, which have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to his current condition.

The Board denied service connection for a left leg disability and an increased rating for the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Veteran's left leg condition was not found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities, and his cervical spine disability did not result in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder due to conflicting opinions and need for further examination. The Veteran's assertions include in-service injuries, including a fall while skiing that resulted in multiple soldiers extracting him from a hole and transferring him by ambulance.

The Veteran's right knee injury is denied as there is no evidence of a service connection. The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial evaluation of 30% effective January 10, 2013.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been granted a 10 percent rating, effective from October 26, 2017. The disability ratings for the knees are maintained at this level.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 1, 2012.

The Veteran's hypertension, cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and upper extremity radiculopathy are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to March 1, 2016 for right knee loss of flexion is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 29, 2015 for right knee instability is granted. The RO also granted service connection for status post right knee replacement effective July 26, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle, low back, and left knee disorders secondary to a right ankle sprain due to potential causation or aggravation by altered biomechanics. The Veteran's current diagnoses include osteophytic spurring of the left ankle, lumbar degenerative joint disease/degenerative disc disease, and chondromalacia patella syndrome with degenerative joint disease and left knee sprain.