Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee pain was denied, with the Board finding that his disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of her service-connected right knee, right foot, and right wrist disabilities were denied. The medical evidence did not support higher ratings based on the severity of her symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including heart murmur, diabetes mellitus type II, right wrist condition, left knee neuropathy, right knee neuropathy, left leg neuropathy, and right leg neuropathy. The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing a direct relationship to service or secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities. The claims are now remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee meniscal tear, left knee symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage, and right and left knee instability due to additional medical examination and opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for various disability ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of all pending appeals by his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, right knee disorder, and neck disorder was reopened. Service connection is granted for the acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and right knee disorder. The claim for service connection for a neck disorder is denied.

The Board denied service connection for generalized arthralgia, including diagnoses of degenerative arthritis of the hands, knees, and back, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent under DC 5262, impairment of the tibia and fibula. The Board granted a separate rating for recurrent lateral instability (10%), meniscal dysfunction (20%), and limitation of extension (20%). SMC was also granted from October 8, 2018.

The Board has remanded both the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and the service connection claim due to a lack of VA examination, which was directed in previous decisions. The Veteran's right knee disability may be related to his left knee surgery.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, right elbow disability, and OSA due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, including shin splints claimed as medial tibial stress syndrome, are currently rated at 10 percent each.,Both knees have been found to exhibit painful motion without additional limitation of function.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, PTSD and major depressive disorder, right knee pain, left knee pain, and breathing problems have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that would support these claims.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it began during his active duty. The right knee disability, however, did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus and bunions are rated at a 10 percent since April 27, 2015. The Veteran's right knee arthritis or degenerative joint disease is rated at a 10 percent since January 10, 2013. The Veteran's left knee arthritis or degenerative joint disease is also rated at a 10 percent since January 10, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and left knee disability due to incomplete VA examinations, lack of consideration of lay statements, and need for further medical opinions regarding etiology.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for right knee disability, effective August 3, 2018. A separate 10 percent rating was also granted for instability of the right knee.

The Board denied service connection for chest pain, including costochondritis, as the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service disease, injury, or event.,The Board remanded issues regarding cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and left foot and ankle disabilities for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg disability, right knee disability, and major depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability due to lack of supporting objective medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle and right knee degenerative joint disease as they did not comply with the requirements in Sharp v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 26 (2017).