Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between her current condition and military service.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. Service connection was also denied for peripheral vascular disease as secondary to a lower back disorder due to lack of evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee was granted based on medical records showing the Veteran had symptoms since his in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased disability ratings for left and right total knee replacements due to inadequate examination findings, specifically regarding range of motion during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorder. Additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion, is required.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which included bursitis and synovitis, was found to be no more than 30 percent disabling. The Board denied the claim for a higher rating as well as the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to an error in the mailing address provided by his representative. The RO needs to clarify and correct the addresses before making a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate consideration of relevant lay evidence and VA examination opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for back pain, right hip pain, left knee lateral meniscal tear, acquired psychiatric disorder, left hip disorder, and right knee disorder. The issues include determining whether new and material evidence was obtained to reopen these claims, as well as addressing the severity of the Veteran's service-connected foot disabilities and evaluating his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his VA treatment records and conducting a new examination if necessary. The issues include determining an appropriate rating for his lumbar spine disability with associated radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, deciding on the propriety of the assigned rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and addressing service connection for bilateral knee disorders.

The Board vacated part of its April 8, 2020 decision that denied a higher rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee prior to September 3, 2013, and from that date. The appeal was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his legacy appeal.

The Veteran's right knee extension limitation is now rated at 20 percent effective September 4, 2014. His current rating for right knee instability remains at 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee conditions, including arthritis, as there was no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated based on limitation of motion, with no higher ratings granted.,A separate rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage has been granted.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant such a higher rating based on limitation of motion and functional loss due to pain. The Board noted no instability or subluxation of the knee joint.

The Veteran's mood disorder with depressive features is granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle sprain and post-surgical procedure residuals. The other issues are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and a left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to higher evaluations for service-connected knee disabilities are being addressed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee condition. The Veteran needs to be examined by VA to determine if his current left knee disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or permanent use of hands, vision impairment, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of knees or hips. Therefore, he is not eligible for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.