Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right and left knees are currently rated at 20 percent each for post-operative torn menisci under Diagnostic Code 5260, with separate ratings of 20 percent each for post-operative torn menisci under Diagnostic Code 5258.,New evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back condition as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, right ankle disability, and headache disability. The claims of service connection for chronic cough and acid reflux are remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability and determine if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities due to inadequate examination and development of records. The issues include right elbow, left elbow, right wrist, left wrist, right knee, left knee, right foot, left foot, and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was dismissed. The claims for osteoarthritis of the left and right knee, right hip strain, and a skin disability of bilateral feet are remanded.

The Veteran is eligible for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities that preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, canes and/or a wheelchair.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for the aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his left knee total knee replacement, a separate disability rating for instability, and service connection for chest pain (costochondritis). The case is being returned to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service. The Board also found that his knee disability is not related to his service-connected lower back or pes planus disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral spine strain and degenerative disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee meniscectomy residuals, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, right knee recurrent subluxation, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, tinnitus, and other conditions, make him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, a right shoulder disorder, left and right ankle disorders, and a lumbar spine disorder all related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran is not currently service connected for any disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for mixed anxiety depressive disorder has been dismissed as the full benefit sought was granted.,The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for stress fracture of the right tibia with instability and left femur and left tibia stress related phenomena have been denied. The current 20 percent ratings are deemed appropriate based on the evidence of record.,For the periods from October 1, 2012 to February 25, 2016, and April 1, 2016 to October 15, 2018, the Veteran's right knee disability was rated under DC 5003-5260. The current ratings of 10 percent are deemed appropriate based on limitation of motion.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for internal derangement with meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis of the right knee has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to inadequate development. The VA needs to obtain SSA records, conduct a new examination of the left knee disability, and develop the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a request for information about the competency of the December 2019 VA examiners.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, right knee condition, left knee condition, and tonsil condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg stress fracture, right knee disability, and generalized arthritis have been denied. The claim for residuals of bilateral inguinal hernia has resulted in a denial with respect to the initial rating assigned but granted a non-compensable rating prior to August 21, 2009, and a 10 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his knee disabilities, left ear eustachian tube dysfunction, and perforated ear drum due to inadequate development in prior decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues being inextricably intertwined and insufficient evidence. The case must be returned for further examination and opinion.