Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a left knee total knee replacement, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee condition, left knee condition, and sleep apnea due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disability, headaches, and hypertension due to inadequate VA examinations and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for right and left shoulder strains, as well as chondromalacia of the right and left knees. The evidence did not show that any of these conditions warranted a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and other disabilities. The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on these issues because no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea or whether it is related to any service-connected disability. Additionally, he needs to provide a statement from his brother regarding his sleep apnea claim.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records should be obtained as they may contain relevant information about his SSA disability claim. The Veteran also needs to provide a statement from his brother regarding his sleep apnea claim.,VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a low back disorder and entitlement to TDIU prior to July 29, 2013 due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's left ankle disorder is alleged to be related to his low back disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus, left knee strain, right knee osteoarthritis, and obstructive sleep apnea are all found to have been incurred during active service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD is dismissed. The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for a right knee disability is granted, and the case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for a rating of 20 percent for left knee instability beginning January 16, 2014. A separate 20 percent rating is also granted for impairment of the left knee cartilage. The Veteran's arthritis and instability are rated at their maximum schedular ratings.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed for the period prior to January 17, 2017 due to his already receiving SMC based on housebound status. The case is remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU on behalf of the Veteran from January 17, 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and requests for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper and low back disorder and left knee disorder due to missing medical records and further development is needed.

The Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal regarding reductions in disability ratings for his knee conditions, resulting in the decisions being denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities due to new evidence received after a previous denial. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed on a de novo basis and further examinations are required.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a right knee injury, flat feet, IBS, and athlete's foot have been granted. The effective date for the award of service connection for tinea pedis (athlete's foot) is set at April 23, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his disabilities are not severe enough to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right knee disability, left knee tendonitis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been granted service connection. The Veteran has also received initial ratings for his left knee tendonitis and a separate rating for lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination in determining the severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, specifically during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of a VA examination and insufficient evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his right ankle and foot disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and right hip disorder. The claims are inextricably intertwined as any decision on one claim may affect the other.