Knee Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, left and right knee arthritis, and a low back disability. However, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service, the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a 40 percent rating from April 7, 2010 to August 15, 2018. The right knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions. The case will be returned for further proceedings.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, with a combined disability rating of 90 percent for her service-connected conditions. The Board found that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities preclude all substantially gainful employment due to her migraines and psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his right knee disability, including any flare-ups and functional loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a head condition, tinnitus, right ankle disability (status post Achilles tendon repair), sciatic nerve disabilities of the left and right lower extremities, right hip disability, left hip disability, neck disability, and migraines have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board finds that there is no evidence showing a chronic condition in service or within one year after discharge.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and SMC based on his claimed knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disorders due to his active service as a paratrooper. The Veteran underwent examinations in November 2017 but needs further examination by an examiner who can consider the specific stresses of parachute jumps during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of left hip, bilateral knee disorders due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA examination and lack of continuity of treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for fibromyalgia, tinnitus, and bronchitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for migraines with a 40 percent rating, but no higher. Her scar left knee associated with tricompartmental chondromalacia status post meniscus surgery received a noncompensable rating. The Board also remanded several issues including the initial compensable rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee disabilities, as well as the appeal for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis during the specified period. The Veteran's request to withdraw these appeals is considered.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 8, 2017. A TDIU is granted effective from that date. The right knee disability and OSA are both remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation and rating consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right knee disability due to outstanding private treatment records and an updated VA examination.

The Board has granted a separate initial 10 percent rating for right knee instability, but has remanded the case to determine an appropriate rating for right knee DJD.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, including retropatellar pain syndrome and arthritis, are rated based on limitation of motion. The appeals for higher ratings prior to February 2, 2017, have been denied as the current range of motion does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left total knee replacements are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease. Service connection for PTSD is denied, and the TDIU appeal is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for painful joints was dismissed due to the appellant (or his or her authorized representative) requesting a withdrawal of the appeal. The appeals for compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and bilateral knee condition are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not service-connected as it did not begin during active duty or due to a disease or injury incurred in service. The VA medical opinion found no direct link between his current left knee condition and his military service.