Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a new VA examination to address service connection for left knee disability and an evaluation of the Veteran's employment capacity due to his service-connected disabilities. The issues remain on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, ankle, hip, knee, and lumbar spine disorders due to incomplete examination findings and lack of addressing certain contentions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of higher initial ratings for his right and left knee disabilities on an extra-schedular basis, as well as his TDIU claim. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional evidence to be obtained and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have not improved, warranting restoration of their prior ratings. However, the Veteran's appeal also includes claims for increased ratings, which are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding his right knee, right ankle, left ankle, and right foot disabilities. The case will be remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding the appropriate level of amputation for the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and meniscal tear, was not productive of ankylosis or significant limitation in motion from May 29, 2013 to June 30, 2018. The VA has assigned a noncompensable rating for this period.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and left hip disability are related to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a meniscectomy and arthritis, is rated at 10% under Diagnostic Codes 5259-5260. The Board has remanded the issues regarding secondary service connection for right hip and left hip disabilities as well as entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic sinus condition, but denied the remaining claims including prostate condition, right knee condition, depressive disorder, deviated septum, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction (ED), low testosterone condition, and hypertension.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a right knee disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, bilateral foot disorder, toe disorder, and PTSD. Additional evidence is needed as VA medical opinions are required to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria and there is no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate addendum opinion regarding the aggravation of the Veteran's bilateral knee condition by his service-connected left hip degenerative arthritis, right hip synovitis and/or degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and associated radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back, left ankle, and right ankle disorders, as well as an increased rating for the service-connected left shoulder partial rotator cuff tear. The Veteran will need to undergo further VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee degenerative arthritis instability have been denied as the severity of his instability is no more than mild, with consideration of voluminous VA treatment records showing normal gait without use of assistive devices.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss (right and left ears), right knee condition, left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active duty.,There is no current evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the Veteran's current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, gastrointestinal disability, right knee disability, and heart condition due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, along with other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU from February 7, 2013, through December 14, 2014, and SMC based on housebound status effective February 7, 2013.