Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. However, the issue of secondary service connection for a right knee condition is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle, knee, hip, and back disabilities manifested by pain. The evidence is at least evenly balanced that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the February 2020 remand directives and requires a new VA medical opinion for service connection of left knee and right hip conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disorder, which is claimed as swelling or damaged cartilage. The examiner should address whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for chondromalacia patellar with arthralgia, left knee; chondromalacia patellar with arthralgia, right knee; left hip condition; low back condition; and right foot condition due to new evidence received since the March 2014 rating decision. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to new evidence indicating an increase in severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities. The Veteran will need a new VA examination and any missing treatment records must be obtained.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, but denied his claims for bilateral knee disability and hyperlipidemia. The claim of service connection for hypertension is being remanded for further development including a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disorder (iliotibial band syndrome) and right knee disorder as secondary to his now service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine and bilateral knee disorders, specifically whether they are aggravated by his service-connected foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC benefits due to incomplete evaluations of his service-connected right lung and left knee disabilities. The claims are being returned for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for neck injury residuals and left knee degenerative joint disease due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to be provided with new VA examinations that include detailed range of motion findings, including the degree at which pain begins during active and passive motion in both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for left knee chondromalacia and right knee chondromalacia, effective before and after January 13, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional clarification regarding his service-connected conditions and their current severity.

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 10 percent, but a separate rating of 20 percent for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of pain, locking, and effusion into the joint due to service-connected right knee condition has been granted.,The Veteran’s right knee condition does not meet criteria for higher ratings under other applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left knee disability with effusion is granted a separate rating of 20 percent effective January 5, 2010.,Prior to October 31, 2011, the criteria for TDIU were not met.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee and left eye disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral foot condition, including pes planus, hammer toes, and bunions and calluses, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The right knee condition continues to meet criteria for a 10 percent disability rating, but the left knee condition does not meet criteria for an increased rating.,The Veteran's service-connected right knee condition does not warrant a higher than 10 percent disability rating as it does not manifest ankylosis or significant instability. The left knee condition also does not warrant a higher than 10 percent disability rating due to the absence of ankylosis, subluxation, or lateral instability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims for service connection as they are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since September 28, 2003. The TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective from that date.