Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability, heart disorder, sleep apnea, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. The Veteran's radiculopathy with atrophy, right lower extremity, was rated 10 percent; the rating for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, was also 10 percent.,The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and found that the Veteran’s conditions were less likely than not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected adjustment disorder or bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and treatment records, requiring an updated VA examination of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, cervical spine, and right knee disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and consider the Veteran's claims again.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The decision is final.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in permanent loss of use of his left foot, and therefore grants eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile with adaptive equipment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the appellant's service-connected right knee disability, including limitations in motion and flare-ups. A new VA examination is needed to address these issues.

The Board has granted a separate evaluation of 20 percent for the Veteran's right knee meniscal tear, but denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee chondromalacia.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee limitation of extension due to degenerative joint disease prior to November 5, 2012 was denied as the evidence did not show that his knee had limited extension to 15 degrees or greater.

The Veteran's right knee scar and right knee disability are remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity.,The Veteran's right knee disability is remanded due to an inadequate August 2016 examination report. A new examination is needed to assess the extent of functional impairment during flare-ups.,The left knee disability, depression, and sleep disorder are all remanded for etiology opinions regarding their relationship to service or service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for a psychiatric disorder (depression) and diabetes mellitus are also remanded. The examiner must determine whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service in Southwest Asia, as well as any aggravation of these conditions by his service-connected disabilities.,A sleep disorder is remanded for an examination to determine its relationship to service, specifically service in Southwest Asia.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is also remanded. The examiner must consider the Veteran's pre-diabetes diagnosis during National Guard service and whether a sleep disorder caused or aggravated his current diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee strain has been rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating due to limited flexion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral cataracts, glaucoma, left testicle condition, and knee disability. The claim for erectile dysfunction was granted as secondary to a service-connected right testicle condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's right knee condition, specifically during periods of flare-ups or after repeated use over time.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee arthritis and left foot metatarsalgia were denied. The claim for a higher rating for right total knee replacement was granted with a specific effective date, while the claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for right total knee replacement due to arthritis from December 1, 2019, was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his right shoulder disability and lumbar spine disability, caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hip, and foot disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an extra-schedular rating in excess of 60 percent for service-connected left knee status-post total arthroplasty was denied. The claimant also received separate ratings and special monthly compensation for chronic infections and loss of use of the left foot, respectively.

Service connection for dermatitis, bilateral ankle condition, and bilateral knee arthritis is denied.,Service connection for a bilateral neuropathic arthropathy of the feet secondary to service-connected diabetes is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected orthopedic disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and potential interrelatedness with other issues.

The appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disability is dismissed. The claims for increased rating of right knee scar, service connection for left knee disability (secondary to right knee), and service connection for low back disability (secondary to right knee) are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, characterized by limitation of extension and flexion, as well as instability, has been rated at 20 percent since January 11, 2012. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.