Knee Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a right knee disability, so the issue is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee and left knee DJD. The claims for service connection remain pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for recurrent left knee injury residuals and tinnitus have been granted. The claims for prostate disorder and recurrent sleep disability (including obstructive sleep apnea) are denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that his symptoms did not warrant such a higher rating based on limitation of motion and meniscal symptomatology.

The Board denied service connection for various knee, hip, foot, and nerve conditions. The decision also denied a higher rating for migraine headaches and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to additional VA records being added to his case file.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is as likely as not related to her military service. Service connection was denied for a left knee disability due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back strain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to a lack of a complete record. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the current severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and associated meniscal tear were rated at 10 percent prior to March 23, 2016. A separate rating of 20 percent was granted for the semilunar cartilage dislocation.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to January 25, 2014 and 50 percent thereafter. Effective June 10, 2010, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a tear of the medial meniscus and posttraumatic chondromalacia, resulted in an initial rating of 10 percent from July 17, 2018 to November 7, 2019. The additional disability rating of 20 percent was granted for left knee extension limitation to 10 degrees.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tension headaches was denied as the evidence did not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's anxiety disorder was rated at 50 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9413.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The right and left knee disabilities are denied increased ratings.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on all issues related to service connection and increased ratings, as the appellant requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain and left knee laceration were both rated at a 10 percent disability rating, which is the maximum rating available under current VA regulations.,Both conditions have been found to not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hallux valgus with osteoarthritis of the first metatarsal phalangeal joint of the great toes and left knee chondromalacia patella with osteoarthritis, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service. Service connection was denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder including major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral shoulder, knee, right-hand, ankle, neck, and foot conditions. The remand requires a new VA examination to address the nature of these disabilities and their relationship to military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective January 1, 2020. The initial rating claims for knee and back disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.