Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability are denied. The claims for sinusitis and sarcoidosis have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected knee conditions and basal cell carcinoma excision have been rated appropriately, with no changes in ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether a right knee disorder is related to service. The Veteran's pain alone cannot be considered a disability, and another VA examination is needed to determine if there is a current right knee disability and its relation to military service.

The Veteran's entitlement to nonservice-connected pension benefits was granted on May 14, 2018, and the Board found that this date is when his entitlement arose. Therefore, an earlier effective date than May 14, 2018, for these benefits is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential gaps in VA treatment records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right knee chondromalacia patella with DJD were denied. The case was remanded multiple times, but the issues of service connection for a back condition and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities remain unresolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, vertigo, knee instability, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed and a VA medical opinion is required to address the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a bilateral knee disability was denied. The Board also remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of prostatitis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left elbow and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or limitation of motion, and concluded that the preponderance of the evidence was against granting any additional disability ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for right and left knee disorders due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The VA examiner's opinions did not consider the Veteran's lay reports of pain since service, which is a requirement.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, including during flare-ups or with repeated use over a period of time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases due to insufficient evidence in his medical records, particularly regarding his left knee gout, right hip conditions, and chronic kidney disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions were denied. The Veteran was rated at 10% from August 20, 2008 through January 8, 2020 and at 20% since January 9, 2020 for the left knee with mild osteoarthritis status post arthroscopic medial meniscectomy. The Veteran was also rated at 10% since October 25, 2016 for left knee instability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the left knee surgical scar at 10 percent, and he was granted TDIU. The issues of a higher rating for PTSD and a compensable rating for the left knee scar are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Osgood-Schlatter disease of the bilateral knees has been reopened and is now considered on its merits. The Board found new and material evidence to support reopening the claim, but remanded it for a supplemental medical opinion regarding the etiology of the disability.

The Veteran's knee disabilities are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, bilateral hand, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported in-service injuries and strain.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral knee disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.