Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's service dates and training status, particularly for his right knee injury in July 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination in prior VA examinations conducted during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding that there was no evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient evidence in some cases, including a need for updated VA treatment records, new examinations, and consideration of all symptomatology.

The Board has remanded four claims: PTSD, left knee internal derangement, skin disorder, and TDIU. The Veteran's PTSD may have worsened since the last examination in November 2016, and VA treatment records indicate moderately severe depression and very severe PTSD symptoms. Remand is also requested for obtaining private psychological treatment records and pertinent private medical records from Florida Sports and Spinal Rehab.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support her contention that her current left knee condition is related to military service or caused by her service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection are remanded due to the failure of VA to provide proper notice and scheduling for examinations. The issues will be further evaluated with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as secondary to his now service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's right knee condition, characterized by daily flares of pain and swelling exacerbated with use, resulted in a 7 degree reduction in flexion and a 28 degree reduction of extension. The Board granted a disability rating of 50 percent for the time period from December 7, 2015 to January 6, 2020.

The Veteran's tension headaches are characterized by very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability prior to September 4, 2019. A 50% disability rating is granted.,Since September 4, 2019, the Veteran's right total knee arthroplasty has been characterized by chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion and weakness. A 60% disability rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional examinations and opinions to address whether the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities have been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions. However, the remaining issues of service connection for cervical spine, lower back, bilateral shoulder, bilateral foot, and bilateral upper/lower extremity neurological disabilities are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, right leg (knee), and low back disabilities due to lack of medical evidence supporting a chronic condition during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral knee disorders. The decision does not specify the rating assigned or effective date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee retropatellar pain syndrome and right ankle sprain residuals are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will need new medical evaluations to determine the extent of his functional loss during flare-ups and after repeated use over time.

The Veteran's left knee disability, specifically traumatic arthritis with painful motion during flexion and instability, is now rated at 30 percent effective May 31, 2014. The issues of increased ratings for the other conditions are not addressed as they were remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee conditions, finding that his current diagnoses are related to his MOS duties as a plumber during active duty.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding service connection for tinnitus and increased ratings for several knee and hip conditions. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including chondromalacia patella and degenerative arthritis, is rated at 10 percent. The Board found no evidence of instability or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including service connection and increased rating issues. The Veteran's hypertension, headaches, sinus disorder, bronchitis, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability are all being reviewed.