Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension, back disability, and right knee meniscal tear are rated at the minimum levels allowed by law. The Veteran is granted a separate rating for his right knee condition but denied an increased rating for his back disability. His PTSD is initially granted a total rating effective from May 23, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and temporary total evaluations have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the Board’s decision.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations due to incomplete evaluations and the need for clarification of functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including right and left foot disabilities, lumbar strain, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, TBI, left knee condition, right knee condition, and migraine headaches. The issues include determining whether pre-existing bilateral pes planus worsened during service and whether current plantar wart conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee disability and service connection for PTSD has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorders are not related to her active service, and thus denied her claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for determining the severity of the Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the other issues due to new evidence received.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back condition, arthritis of legs, degenerative arthritis of knees, glaucoma of the right eye, rash on scrotum, penis, buttocks, shoulders, and arms, and residuals of head injury. The evidence received since previous decisions did not meet the criteria to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting the VA definition of hearing loss.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's right knee strain is rated at 10% and a separate rating for painful flexion of the right knee is granted effective December 6, 2010.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and sleep apnea are both remanded.

The Veteran's OSA is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a right meniscectomy with DJD prior to July 12, 2010 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for total right knee replacement from November 1, 2011 was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of his left shoulder, low back, and bilateral knee disabilities. The current severity of these conditions will be assessed in order to determine appropriate ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of increased ratings for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee status post lateral meniscus debridement and synovectomy, and service connection for a back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, as well as obtaining updated treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his right knee disability, which he claims was caused or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of October 1, 2009.

The Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder, arthritis of the back, headaches, cephalgia, arthritis of the knees, ankles, foot pain, leg pain, stomach condition, and residuals of stroke are not service-connected.,The Veteran's macular drusen, dry eye syndrome, and cataracts may be secondary to his headaches.

The Veteran's initial rating for a lumbar spine disorder is granted at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted.