Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including patellofemoral syndrome and a partial patellar tear, is rated at 20 percent. The left knee disability, also patellofemoral syndrome, remains at 10 percent. Separate ratings of 10 percent are granted for instability in both knees prior to August 14, 2019. After that date, the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities remain rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to incomplete development of the record, including failure to obtain STRs and VA treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to ensure all requested actions are completed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions in the June 2016 VA examinations. The case is returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the prior remand directives and has therefore remanded the claims for lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle/foot disabilities due to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient examination findings and needs further evaluation of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disorder based on limitation of motion prior to August 2, 2012 was not rated higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee disorder based on instability from May 25, 2016 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's initial higher ratings for limitation of flexion of the right knee and left knee prior to March 28, 2014 have been denied. The Veteran has received a separate rating for instability in both knees since March 28, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder (lumbosacral strain) and a right hip disorder (trochanteric pain syndrome), both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee DJD status post ACL reconstruction.,Service connection was denied for a right leg disorder, other than right knee DJD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unclear recoupment of her disability severance pay from September 2011 to February 2019. A detailed audit needs to be performed to determine the precise amount that was withheld.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cervical spine and left knee conditions have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis and patellofemoral syndrome with limitation of flexion, as well as right knee patellofemoral syndrome. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records and attempt to obtain any private medical records from Dr. Williams. A new orthopedic examination is required to assess the current severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient VA medical opinions and for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for instability, 10 percent each for limitation of flexion and extension. The Board denied increased ratings as the evidence did not show severe instability or limitations beyond what are already accounted for in the current ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding her knee, hip, ankle, and spine disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his claims of increased ratings for various knee and shoulder disabilities, including a separate rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome. As a result, the Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's claims for higher staged disability ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and entitlement to a TDIU have been denied due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to provide adequate reasons or bases as to why higher evaluations were not warranted for his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include cervical spine disorder, left upper extremity nerve disorder, and right knee disorder.