Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability, previously evaluated as degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 20% since November 7, 2017. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's left knee disability, status post total left knee arthroplasty, is currently rated at 30% since February 1, 2018. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's residual scar from his left knee surgery is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for increased disability rating for thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease at L4-S1 is denied as his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for left knee and right knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of the conditions warranting a higher than 10 percent rating.,A separate 10 percent disability rating is granted for slight lateral instability of the right knee from July 30, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate duty to assist and failure to apply the presumption of soundness. The Veteran's right knee disorder needs further examination and evidence collection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of arthritis in service or within one year after separation. The current diagnosis is mild osteoarthritis, which the VA examiner opined was not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, and the claims for secondary service connection for lumbar spine disorder and left knee disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, left knee patellofemoral syndrome and shin splints, right knee patellofemoral syndrome and shin splints, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The remand is required because of inconsistencies in the medical examinations provided by VA.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review due to incomplete compliance with previous instructions, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for service connection of psychiatric disorders, bilateral knee disorders, and personal assault stressor claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder and lumbar spine disorders, and peripheral neuropathy. The issues are related to whether these conditions are secondary to a service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right knee, left knee, left hip, and right hip conditions due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee conditions due to conflicting opinions and a need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, penile disability (manifested by erectile dysfunction), gastrointestinal disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD.,There is no current evidence of a diagnosed left knee disability or penile disability (manifested by erectile dysfunction) within the appellate period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disability and psychiatric disability due to incomplete medical records and inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any pertinent private medical records, schedule appropriate VA examinations, and consider the Veteran's lay history.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disability.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, cardiovascular disability, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his left knee, multiple painful and unstable scars, multiple other scars, and tinnitus have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for a psychiatric disability secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, recurrent peptic ulcer disease, and chondromalacia of the right knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 27, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, and right knee strain have been denied as the evidence does not show that any of these conditions warrant a higher rating.,Degenerative arthritis of the spine has also been denied as it did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent effective February 7, 2020. The left knee issue remains unresolved.