Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions, specifically his degenerative changes of the left knee, mechanical low back pain with degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine, and PTSD. The issues include seeking increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, stress, and depression) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient examination and lack of complete personnel records. The case is returned for further development, including obtaining a VA examiner's opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's current knee conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current knee disabilities and service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as his symptoms have worsened since the last examination in December 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee collateral damage, status post knee replacement is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. His acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD with insomnia and paranoid thoughts, is also granted.

The Veteran's right knee DJD with limitation of flexion and extension was granted a rating from December 1, 2011, to May 11, 2016. The rating for the right knee status post total right knee arthroplasty was also granted during this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various right hip, knee, and leg disabilities due to incomplete or insufficient medical opinions provided in prior examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and a left foot condition, but has remanded these issues due to the need for an etiology opinion.

The Veteran's left and right knee arthritis are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that they do not warrant a higher rating based on their current symptoms.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, and left ankle conditions. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support such a higher rating given his symptoms and functional limitations.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent for limitation of extension from September 22, 2016 to May 1, 2017 and at 40 percent since May 2, 2017. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee condition is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board denied increased ratings for left knee chondromalacia, right knee chondromalacia, limitation of extension of the left and right knees, and duodenal ulcer.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent effective from July 19, 2019. A 30 percent rating for restless leg syndrome is granted. The Veteran’s allergic rhinitis is rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his left-knee osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not warrant such an increase.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and its relationship to his military service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private records related to the 1999 foot surgery, arrange for a VA medical opinion on the nature and likely cause of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral knee disability, and determine if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected cold weather residuals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his ability to dress himself, keep himself clean, feed himself, attend to personal needs, and protect himself from daily hazards.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left radial and ulnar radicular pain, right radial and ulnar radicular pain with paresthesia, and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis as there was no evidence of a current disability or causation to active service.,The Board also denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent disabling for service-connected PTSD.