Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent and 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disabilities prior to August 17, 2015. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service, and no credible continuity of symptomatology. The Board also found no medical opinion linking current diagnoses to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including atrial fibrillation, unspecified trauma disorder, lumbar spine disc disease, and other conditions, are reasonably shown to render him unable to maintain regular substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his right knee disability and a TDIU rating due to issues with the current examination, need for updated treatment records, and VCAA notice.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain was denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee instability and osteoarthritis were rated at 10 percent prior to February 21, 2018. The RO has now assigned a 30 percent rating for the total left knee replacement since April 1, 2019.,The case is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding the higher ratings for the service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a right hip disorder. The decision on the right knee disorder is based on lack of evidence linking it to service, while the right hip disorder case requires an additional examination opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, was first manifested on active duty service and is granted as service connected. The claim for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees and tension headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent from January 22, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records that need to be obtained for a proper evaluation of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left ankle and right knee degenerative joint disease have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disability, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability. The remand requests additional examinations for these conditions and an opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right elbow, left elbow, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The issue of service connection for neck strain is remanded as the Veteran contends it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is at least as likely as not related to his active service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 60 percent combined, with separate ratings for limitation of extension (40%), residuals of an ACL tear (20%), and limitation of flexion (10%). The claim for increased rating prior to October 16, 2019 is remanded. A temporary total evaluation due to convalescence from surgery is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are all remanded for further examination and opinion. Additionally, his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded. The AOJ must attempt to obtain any outstanding audiologic testing results related to his hearing loss and provide the Veteran with addendum opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his ankle and knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and sleep disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.