Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee condition is denied. The initial rating for GERD from October 25, 2016 to October 9, 2019 was granted at 10 percent and increased to 30 percent starting October 10, 2019. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder and cannabis abuse is not rated in excess of 70 percent. The rating for asthma remains unchanged. The left knee scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for lateral instability, and separate ratings of 10 percent each are granted for limitation of flexion and extension. These ratings are subject to the regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), finding that the current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the Veteran's symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions, bilateral pes planus, and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and his combined rating is insufficient to meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee disability and hypertension due to incomplete records, need for further examination, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded as the current examination did not address whether it is aggravated by his service-connected back and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD, left shoulder strain, left elbow strain, left knee strain, and right knee strain are all rated at their maximum levels. The Board has found that remand is required to obtain outstanding records and to afford the Veteran new VA examinations.,The Veteran's migraines have been granted service connection with a 0 percent rating effective May 1, 2018. The Board has also found that remand is required for issuance of a SOC regarding an earlier effective date for migraines.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected schizoaffective disorder.,Service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's cervical osteoarthritis has been granted service connection. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development and medical opinions.

Service connection granted for right knee strain, right tibia shin splint, and right hip degenerative arthritis.,An effective date of January 20, 2017 was assigned for the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence, and the VA examinations did not establish a link between the current conditions and military service.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for VA medical treatment and care in 2012, which included left leg below the knee amputation (BKA), right hip replacement, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli, erectile dysfunction, and depression, due to lack of evidence showing VA negligence or fault.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his current condition is less likely caused by or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's right knee limitation of flexion is not rated higher than 10 percent, and a separate rating for the meniscal disability has been granted. The back disability secondary to the right knee disability is also service-connected.,The Veteran’s right knee condition remains at 10 percent, but he now receives an additional 20 percent for his meniscal disability. His back disability, diagnosed as DDD, is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has found that further development is needed for the issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for service-connected left knee strain, previously rated as a left knee condition. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the service-connected right knee disability, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5262. The Veteran's symptoms include difficulty standing and using assistive devices.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing treatment records. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed again with a focus on whether it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of bilateral hearing loss, which is remanded. The remaining conditions are now considered established as service-connected.