Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate medical examinations in March 2013 and February 2016. The RO is instructed to request addendum retrospective opinions from the VA examiners or another appropriate examiner.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as the unavailability of his current contact information. The appeal seeking a TDIU remains inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a failure to report for a VA examination.

The Veteran's left trochanteric bursitis and left knee osteoarthritis, impairment of femur have been rated based on their respective limitations. A separate 30 percent rating has been granted for the left trochanteric bursitis due to limitation of flexion, effective from February 7, 2018. The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, impairment of femur has received a 20 percent rating based on limitation of flexion and a separate 40 percent rating for limitation of extension, both effective from February 7, 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and hearing loss prevent him from performing the physical and mental acts required for employment, meeting the criteria for compensation for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of evidence. Specifically, an updated VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his left knee disability, including during flare-ups. The issues of TDIU and DEA benefits earlier effective dates are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis, shoulder, hip, knee, and hand disabilities as well as a sleep disorder. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made for the issues of evaluation in excess of 10 for left knee complex tear of medial meniscus and chronic ACL tear, entitlement to a compensable rating for left knee scar, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability, finding that the December 2010 rating decision contained clear and unmistakable error (CUE) regarding the temporary total evaluation. The Veteran's current condition is characterized by limited flexion and extension.

The Board has denied a higher rating for cervical spine osteoarthritis and has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee condition and lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral shin splints and patellofemoral syndrome are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of these conditions, including any additional diagnoses such as right knee osteoarthritis or meniscal tear.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left knee disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination for the left knee and further development of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings in excess of 50 percent for major depression, and in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis and left knee arthritis. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for VR&E services due to a need for further assessments and evaluations, particularly regarding his current employment capabilities and feasibility.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for right and left knee chondromalacia due to inadequate examination, specifically lacking measurements of range of motion under 38 C.F.R. § 4.59.

The Veteran's right ankle and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the possibility of increased severity since the last evaluations. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is intertwined with the issues regarding the right ankle and left knee.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome and instability of his knees. The case is returned for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of chronic knee disorder in service or within one year thereafter and concluding that his current knee disability is not related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's back disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, migraine headaches, and hemorrhoids have been granted ratings. The back disability is rated at 20 percent, the left hip disability at a noncompensable rating, the right knee disability at a noncompensable rating, the migraine headaches at a 30 percent rating, and the hemorrhoids are not compensably rated.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee arthralgia, and skin disorder as there is no current disability shown with respect to these conditions. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted due to his service-connected anxiety disorder.