Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on several conditions has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for Reiter’s Syndrome with low back pain, right knee synovitis, left thumb disability, chronic testalgia/epididymitis/urethritis, psoriasis, and keratitis. The cases are being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for further development due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's current wrist disability, including tendonitis and osteoarthritis, is related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to service or his service-connected low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disorders due to inadequate examination in a previous Gulf War General Medical Examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability was denied increased ratings prior to February 27, 2020 and for the period beginning February 27, 2020. The claims for reopening service connection for low back and right knee disabilities were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is entitled to increased ratings for his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep disturbances and chronic fatigue syndrome have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, neck disorder, bilateral wrist disorder, and an increased rating for lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address the adequacy of the November 2016 VA examination reports, which were used in denying service connection for left wrist disability, right knee disability, and hemorrhoids.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee disorders, residuals of a fracture of the right femur, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has restored a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease associated with right knee Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, as the reduction from 30 percent to 20 percent was not proper due to lack of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, stomach disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and neck disorder. The Veteran's contentions were not supported by medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for retrospective medical opinions regarding additional loss in range of motion during periods of flare-ups.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, neurogenic bladder condition, and sciatic nerve conditions are all rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The right ankle and right knee disabilities have also been granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The issues of hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic arthritis of the left knee, partial loss and use of lower extremity, low back pain, right knee pain and stiffness associated with traumatic osteoarthritis of the left knee, anxiety disorder, a pain disorder, and major depressive disorder are being remanded for further development. The denial of service connection for PTSD remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been denied. His claim for a higher rating for his bilateral foot disability prior to October 27, 2016 has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back, right knee, and right hip disabilities, as well as radiculopathies of the right and left lower extremities. The remand is due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hip, knee, and foot disorders. The claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with the low back disorder claim. The initial compensable rating for right shin splints is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the evidence did not show flexion limited to a degree more than 30 degrees.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's in-service injuries are linked to his current conditions.