Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's chronic strain and lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle, as well as his bilateral knee condition (left and right), are granted service connection. However, his initial compensable rating for lumbar strain is granted from January 13, 2010 to September 21, 2014, but denied thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a left knee disability due to insufficient evidence in the current medical opinions. The Veteran's private physician opined that his current left knee disability could be related to his injury during service, but this is not sufficient to grant the claim as it does not meet the threshold legal standard of proof.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage. The appeal is denied for any higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands for another examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee meniscal tear, including his reports of symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is incomplete and remands for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, including limitation of flexion and instability. The claims are also remanded for consideration of the appropriate effective date and initial rating for any instability in the bilateral knees.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The claims of service connection for various conditions, including TBI, seizure disorder, lower back disability, and others are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure, including diabetes mellitus, left knee disability, hole in the palette (mouth), cyst in eardrum, left shoulder disability, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The records from San Diego VAMC and Fort Bliss VAMC are requested, as well as any SSA records related to his disability benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 14, 2017 is remanded due to incomplete employment history and lack of information on his training and skills. The Veteran needs to provide a VA Form 21-4192 and additional information from previous employers.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and a left knee disorder due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The case is being remanded due to the Court's decision, which found that the Board’s reliance on a VHA opinion was inadequate and requested a new medical opinion. The Veteran needs to be examined by an orthopedist to determine if his left knee condition had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for limitation of flexion and 20 percent for instability. The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for frequent episodes of locking, pain, and swelling.,The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a previous VA examination not complying with the remand directive. The Veteran's left knee condition needs to be re-evaluated by another VA examiner under the presumption that he did not have any pre-existing left knee disorder at the time of entry into service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee injury and its relation to service. The VA will need to verify the nature of the Veteran’s service status on December 5, 2009, obtain additional private treatment records, and provide an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected right peroneal palsy with foot drop did not contribute to his death, which was caused by a motorcycle accident.,The Veteran’s total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) lasted for approximately 5 years before he died.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his current employment, despite his reported occupational impairments.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The rating for GERD remains at 10 percent.