Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in November 2019 was inadequate and did not fully address the Veteran's claims. The case is being remanded to obtain a new opinion from a qualified clinician regarding whether the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities are causally related to his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, residuals of a gunshot wound to the left hand, and right leg disabilities. The claims are based on direct evidence rather than presumptions or secondary theories.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee disability, low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disorder, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to their complexity or need for additional development.

The Veteran's left knee impairment is currently rated at 30 percent, which represents the maximum rating under VA regulations. A separate 20 percent rating has been granted for cartilage dislocation and frequent episodes of 'locking,' pain, and effusion since April 19, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion. The appeals for increased ratings are denied as the evidence does not show any additional impairment warranting higher ratings under relevant diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the claims for a disability rating greater than 30 percent subsequent to August 1, 2016, for a right TKA, a disability rating greater than 10 percent prior to June 2, 2015, for right knee arthritis, and a disability rating greater than 10 percent from January 30, 2013 to June 2, 2015, for right leg limitation of extension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral eye scars, cervical spine injury, left knee injury, right knee injury, lumbar spine injury, and right hip injury due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's knee disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and updating the record with any pertinent VA treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee, left hand, and right hand conditions. The claims for a right ankle condition and plantar fasciitis are pending, while hearing loss and tinnitus have not been established.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left ankle sprain, right knee strain, and lumbar strain are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Board requires a new examination that includes range of motion testing in active and passive motions, weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing conditions, and an assessment of functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 0 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee, with limitation of extension, is being remanded due to additional evidence that has been added to the record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left knee due to conflicting reports about pain during flare-ups and an inability to fully adjudicate the claim without additional information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a left knee disability and an increased evaluation for his right knee strain. The decision on these issues is pending, with further examination required to determine if the current left knee disability is related to service or due to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's cervical, thoracolumbar spine, left knee and right knee disabilities are granted as service-connected. The Veteran is also granted an initial 70 percent rating for his traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for OSA is being remanded as there may be a link between his military service and undiagnosed illness. Additional evidence is needed, including records from 2010 when he was referred for evaluation of sleep apnea.,The Veteran's claims for kidney stones and diabetes are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus is being remanded as there may be a link between his military service and aggravation of his already elevated blood sugar levels. Additional evidence is needed, including records from 2010 when he was referred for evaluation of sleep apnea.,The Veteran's claims for left shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.,The Veteran's claim for back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.,The Veteran's claims for knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral knee disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The cases are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the scar, residuals of a flesh wound to the right knee. The Veteran's right knee strain and right quadricep muscle injury are also found to be secondary to his service-connected residuals of a flesh wound to the right knee.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that the Veteran did not have a chronic disability in service or until after separation from active duty. The claims were based on his occupational specialty as a carpenter which caused no functional impairment.