Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of November 27, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee condition, including osteoarthritis of the left knee, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current diagnosis and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc syndrome, right hip sprain, left knee strain, and right knee strain. The Board found that these conditions are at least as likely as not due to parachute jumps in service.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, but the Board finds that the criteria are not met.,The Veteran's claim for right knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or functional impairment to earning capacity due to his bilateral knee condition.,The Veteran's claim for left knee disability is also denied for similar reasons.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between her current knee conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left knee limitation of flexion and instability were denied. The Veteran was assigned a 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5260. For instability, he received a 30 percent rating effective October 4, 2010.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The VA is instructed to obtain Social Security Administration records and provide an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s hypertension and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various foot and knee disabilities, including low back disability. The legible copies of the Veteran's service treatment records from his period of active duty need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's right knee, migraine headaches, and left ankle disabilities are all being reviewed.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and denied increased ratings for right knee instability, left knee disability, and left knee instability.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10% under Diagnostic Code 5260.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating from the date of claim, and his DJD of the thoracic spine is granted at a 20 percent rating from October 29, 2015. The right knee disability and left knee disability are both denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted, effective from August 1, 2012. The TDIU is granted subject to the statutes and regulations governing the payment of compensation.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for low back disability, residuals of a right arm burn, left knee disability, sleep apnea, pulmonary embolism, diabetes mellitus, type II, and insomnia. The appeals are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's left shoulder strain, including medical records from recent treatment. The right knee instability rating remains denied.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the right thumb nail deformity and limitation of motion. The cases for increased ratings for the left knee disability, right knee disability, and TDIU are being remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The Veteran's right jaw nerve problem, right eye condition, and left knee joint osteoarthritis are remanded for further evaluation.

The appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and left knee disability due to incomplete STRs and non-compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis should be evaluated at a higher rating, but needs further development to ensure proper testing of his range of motion.

The Veteran's initial rating for left ankle status post fracture is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's rating for status post left total knee arthroplasty from January 1, 2015 to February 20, 2020 and from February 21, 2020 are both denied due to lack of evidence supporting ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings.