Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing all issues related to service connection for various disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition and left knee impairment due to insufficient evidence. The VA is required to provide a medical examination and opinion regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is not rated higher than 10 percent as the flexion does not reach 30 degrees, even considering functional loss due to pain or other factors.,The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is also not rated higher than 10 percent as the flexion does not reach 30 degrees, even considering functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative changes of the right and left knees are being remanded due to the need for a new examination to evaluate the severity of his knee conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for teeth injuries has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right wrist, left wrist, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives, and now finds that a TDIU should be considered on an extraschedular basis for the portion of the rating period prior to December 2017.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no current diagnosis related to service.,Right wrist joint pain is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis and no evidence of continuity of symptoms post-service.,Left ankle sprain is denied as the condition did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active service.,Left shoulder condition is denied for similar reasons as right wrist joint pain.,Right shoulder condition is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis and no evidence of continuity of symptoms post-service.,Left knee chondromalacia of patella is denied because the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active service.,Right knee chondromalacia of patella is denied for similar reasons as left knee chondromalacia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and psychiatric disability (including PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his right knee and left knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining x-ray findings from a previous VA examination and providing an addendum opinion regarding flare-ups.

The appeal seeking a compensable rating for a fungal infection of the great right toenail is dismissed.,The appeal seeking service connection for high cholesterol is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and left ankle strain, as well as his claim for TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations. The case is returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left and right knee disorders from October 11, 2006. The ratings are based on limitation of motion without ankylosis.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded due to the fact that his combined rating does not meet the schedular criteria, but he has been unable to find suitable employment due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability is service-connected, but has remanded for further development regarding her low back disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is granted a separate 30 percent rating for severe subluxation and instability, effective May 31, 2013. A separate 20 percent rating for locking of the knees is also granted, effective May 31, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and residuals of left hand injury have been granted. The Board found that the current conditions are related to in-service injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of right knee replacement, status post osteoarthritis, as secondary to his service-connected right great toe fracture. The issues regarding left knee replacement and painful scars are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left knee limitation of motion due to inadequate VA examinations in prior decisions. The AOJ must schedule a new examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities during the period at issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain and service connection for a left hip disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need new VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left knee osteoarthritis, left knee instability, and right knee osteoarthritis. The RO found no prior intent to file a claim for these conditions before July 13, 2018.