Knee Board decisions

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's right shoulder disability and remanded the claim of a higher rating for his right knee meniscus tear due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, left shoulder, and left ankle disabilities as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient consideration of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection awards of right knee instability and right knee osteoarthritis, meniscal tear, meniscectomy, mild internal derangement, patellar spur, anterior cruciate ligament tear, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and strain. The effective date was fixed at March 17, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings for cervical spine strain and left knee strain due to inadequate VA examination reports in determining functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected, effective from the date of separation.,An earlier effective date for the hypertension rating is denied. The current 10% rating remains valid since it was requested and no higher blood pressure readings are present.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and individual unemployability was denied. For the PTSD, a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to September 30, 2019 and in excess of 70 percent effective September 30, 2019 is not warranted based on his symptoms. For IU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided that the right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis requires a rating in excess of 10 percent, but has also noted an issue regarding service connection for a right knee meniscal tear. The case is being remanded to consider both issues together.

The Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis is rated at 10 percent, left knee meniscus tear at 20 percent, and PTSD remains rated at 30 percent prior to July 8, 2019, and 70 percent since then. The appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The initial ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees were denied, but a separate rating of 10 percent for recurrent subluxation of both knees was granted. Service connection for hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as the retrieval of outstanding records. The Board will also consider extraschedular considerations for his right wrist, ankle, and knee disabilities.

The Board has found that the VA treatment of methadone and morphine caused multiple falls, resulting in additional orthopedic, neurological, cognitive, and vision disabilities. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disorder and left knee disorder due to scheduling issues. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in permanent total disability. The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for his TBI.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee chondromalacia is being remanded due to evidence of worsening symptoms. A new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of the disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claim for left knee disability due to new evidence being added to the record, and a VA examination is needed to address the cause of the Veteran's current condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and no continuity of symptoms post-service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the current left knee conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities and dextroscoliosis of the back with degenerative changes have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support assigning higher disability ratings for any of these conditions.,For chondromalacia in the left knee with degenerative changes, a 10 percent rating was assigned, which is the highest schedular rating available under DCs 5263 and 5014. The Veteran's meniscus tear received a 20 percent rating, also the maximum schedular rating under DC 5258. Left knee laxity was rated at 10 percent prior to December 17, 2018, and zero thereafter. Dextroscoliosis of the back with degenerative changes was rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities.