Knee Board decisions

The Board has found the Veteran's VA examination inadequate and remanded for a more complete medical examination to determine if his hip and knee disorders are related to service or caused by his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee conditions and secondary service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are inextricably intertwined, necessitating remand. The VA examinations must be conducted to assess the current severity of the Veteran’s conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for left knee disability and TDIU prior to January 18, 2019 due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the presence of a meniscal tear in the left knee and lateral instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right knee disability, left ankle injury residuals, and herpes zoster due to potential service connection. Further development is needed including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent since September 12, 2012. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there was no indication of flexion limited to 31-45 degrees or recurrent subluxation and moderate instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examinations and requests for additional information.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right knee replacement. The case is remanded for further development regarding rating and TDIU issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for left knee arthroscopy with osteoarthritis is granted. The claim for tinea corporis of the buttocks remains denied.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee. The Court has vacated these decisions due to a lack of compliance with remand directives, specifically regarding testing for pain on both active and passive motion during weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing activities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, Grave's disease, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), history of C-section, and costochondritis. The Veteran was granted service connection for allergic conjunctivitis.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his knee and hip disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II and remanded the issues of service connection for left hip condition, bilateral knee condition, osteoarthritis, and bilateral shoulder condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's total left knee arthroplasty is rated at a maximum of 60 percent since March 1, 2013. The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran qualifies for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee condition is related to service. A new examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various lower extremity disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and left hip disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected Crohn’s disease with GERD, ED, and multiple arthralgias of the shoulders, knees, and left ankle is rated at 60 percent, which grants an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and potential impact on SMC claim.