Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension and degenerative joint disease of the right knee are not service-connected. The case is remanded for further development regarding other claimed conditions.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8515.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable. The VA examiner noted that the Veteran’s hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left knee disability is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for a bilateral knee condition, generalized anxiety disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including lung disorder (COPD), acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), cervical spine disorder (neck strain), varicose veins, sleep apnea, and chronic heart disorder (MI). These issues are being remanded for additional VA examination to address conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for spine and bilateral knee conditions, but has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence regarding the timing of her treatment.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is now rated at 20 percent, effective from April 29, 2019. His left knee degenerative joint disease continues to be rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee instability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee limitation of motion is denied.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and hip disorders, as well as whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and requests for additional information. The Veteran was not granted any new ratings or effective dates.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have not been found to meet the criteria for service connection as defined by VA regulations.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, but only if it is determined that the condition began during active duty or is related to such service.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence that may support the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder. The case is being remanded to allow the AOJ to conduct a de novo review of this issue.

The Board has determined that there are pre-decisional duty to assist errors in the Veteran's claims for service connection of ED, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral ankle conditions. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for GERD, bilateral hearing loss, sinus disability, back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to a lack of medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 20 percent rating for his service-connected right knee limitation of extension, finding that the reduction was improper due to a failure to apply the correct procedural requirements.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's right knee disability was denied an extraschedular rating in excess of 10 percent from February 12, 2010, through July 6, 2014.,The Veteran's left total knee arthroplasty with traumatic arthritis was denied an extraschedular rating in excess of 10 percent from March 8, 1978, through September 11, 2007.,The Veteran's left knee disability was denied an extraschedular rating in excess of 20 percent from September 12, 2007, through December 9, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for DJD of the left knee, degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the cervical spine, and radiculopathy of the upper extremities (claimed as median neuritis) as these conditions are not found to be directly or secondary to a service-connected disability.,Specifically, the Board determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's left knee DJD, cervical spine degenerative arthritis and IVDS, or radiculopathy of the upper extremities (claimed as median neuritis) to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease and right knee strain, as well as his claim for TDIU. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.