Knee Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeals as to all issues related to service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury. The Veteran's current condition is rated at its highest possible level (100%).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her left knee disability was remanded due to the failure to reschedule a necessary examination. The case is now being returned for further action.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, right wrist, and left wrist disabilities are each rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Board finds no basis to grant higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder is denied as the effective date cannot be earlier than August 7, 2017.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral ankle disabilities are remanded as there was no formal or informal claim received prior to August 7, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee is granted and the issue is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, loss of pigmentation, right hand disability, and left hand disability as the evidence did not support a finding that any current disabilities began during or were related to service.

Service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine is granted, while service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right tibia fracture was denied. The claim for TDIU from November 7, 2008 to April 9, 2012 was granted.

The Board has granted a separate evaluation of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, to include painful motion. The Veteran's request for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disability and compensable evaluation for scar disability is denied.

The Veteran's left knee extension condition is granted a 30 percent rating throughout the appeal. The Veteran also receives TDIU benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions regarding his diabetes and amputation. The Court found that the Board did not provide adequate reasons or bases for favoring the June 2016 VA examiner’s opinion over other positive private and VA nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee condition was granted, and he is now receiving a 20% disability rating. The appeal regarding the hip condition is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder due to insufficient medical opinions and new evidence is needed.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by pain and limited range of motion (flexion to 50 degrees), is rated at a 10 percent since January 4, 2007. The rating remains unchanged until July 13, 2011, when it was increased to 10 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disorder.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded because the VA examiner did not address the possible association between his service-connected hypothyroidism and his hypertension.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted were inadequate and requires additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. DeHaan and VA records from 1999 to 2002.

The Board has remanded four issues: service connection for a left knee disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, and a respiratory disability other than sleep apnea. The Veteran's varicose veins are the basis for these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of whether the left knee condition is secondary to the service-connected right knee disability. A new VA examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected left achilles tendonitis. The case is being returned for further development and consideration of the etiology of the Veteran’s left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the right knee issues, including a VA examination and consideration of whether temporary total disability ratings or TDIU are warranted.