Knee Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and requests for a new one. The Veteran's left knee disorder is being reviewed again as it may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee post meniscectomy with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 40 percent from April 11, 2019 to March 11, 2020.,A higher rating for the period prior to April 11, 2019 and after March 11, 2020 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding the appellant's functional impairment during flare-ups and following repetitive use over time.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right and left knee conditions, as well as her chronic right shoulder sprain, are service-connected. However, due to new evidence related to her eye condition, the case is being remanded for further review by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his degenerative left knee disorder was denied. The evidence did not show that the Veteran’s flexion was limited to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his degenerative arthritis of the lower back prior to July 2, 2015, in excess of 20 percent; and in excess of 40 percent thereafter was denied. The evidence did not show that the Veteran’s flexion was limited to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee and left ankle disabilities, as well as his claim for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining medical records, determining if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service, and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI with depressive disorder NOS and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that the combined effects of his service-connected conditions make it impossible for him to work.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected, while his acquired psychiatric disorder remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee problems are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has dismissed all claims for increased disability ratings as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for TDIU, higher disability evaluations for left total knee arthroplasty, and SMC. The Veteran will need a VA examination to assess her functional impairment due to her service-connected disabilities and their impact on her employability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition and edema, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including updated medical records, personnel records, and verification of in-service events.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including symptomatic semilunar cartilage removal and instability, is rated at a separate 10 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and disability ratings related to various knee conditions due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and post-operative right hip disability have been granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability is denied as not related to service. Right knee and left knee disabilities are partially granted with various ratings.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, is rated at a combined 30 percent throughout the appeal period. This rating is based on moderate instability (20%) and arthritis with limited motion due to pain (10%).

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left and right knee osteoarthritis, as well as his total knee replacements, were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the Veteran's functional limitations.