Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination regarding the etiology of left meniscus tear and Baker's cyst, which are diagnosed left knee disorders.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service and that arthritis was not manifest within one year of separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disabilities, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is currently rated at 10 percent. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his ankle, foot, and knee disabilities. The issues of peripheral neuropathy are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the back disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for thoracolumbar strain with scoliosis and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A compensable rating was granted for patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee. The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right knee osteoarthritis and residuals of right ankle fracture were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and attempting to corroborate the Veteran's reported in-service stressor. The Veteran is also scheduled for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder as there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional evidentiary development due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's current conditions, including right ear hearing loss, left hip disability (claimed as arthritis), and left knee disability (claimed as arthritis) are not supported by sufficient medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand instructions and for additional development, including a new VA examination of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, low back condition, bilateral knee and ankle conditions, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. The decision also remanded the claim for a higher rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The Veteran's right knee total replacement is rated at 30 percent, with a separate 20 percent rating for frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. The left knee chondromalacia is rated at 10 percent, and the chronic dislocation of the right knee remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee and hip disabilities due to inadequate examinations, and requests an addendum opinion without the need for the Veteran's presence. The claims are also remanded for a retrospective medical opinion regarding TDIU prior to June 16, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his degenerative joint disease of the right knee and left knee, status post anterior cruciate ligament repair with residual surgical scar. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to evaluate his bilateral knee disability.

For the period prior to January 27, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,From January 27, 2015, the Veteran has a combined disability rating of 100 percent due to his service-connected conditions. The issue of TDIU is moot as he already meets the criteria for a 100% schedular rating.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and treatment records related to the Veteran's right knee disabilities, specifically addressing the impact of flare-ups and repetitive use on range of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for additional evidence. The claims include low back, left shoulder, left hip, left knee, right hip, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee disorders, heart disorder, respiratory disorder (likely COPD), diabetes mellitus, type II, and lower extremity disabilities. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 18, 2010. The Veteran seeks a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as sleep apnea due to incomplete records from the Veteran's National Guard service.