Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and left internal carotid occlusive disease have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's torn right knee meniscus is related to service or secondary to his service-connected shin splints.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability including low back strain and degenerative disc disease, but remanded the issues of initial compensable rating for right ankle sprain with calcaneal spurs, service connection for a right knee disability to include as secondary to right ankle sprain with calcaneal spurs, and service connection for radiculopathy of right lower extremity to include as secondary to right ankle sprain with calcaneal spurs.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand pain, right hand pain, right knee strain, and left shoulder strain. The claims for right knee strain and left shoulder strain are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 60 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as her FEV-1 and FEV1/FVC levels have been consistently above 80%.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not support an increase to any higher rating.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disorder, left knee chondromalacia, and degenerative arthritis of the lower spine due to lack of a fully-informed decision. The issues are being remanded because VA medical opinions were not obtained regarding the Veteran’s lay contentions and flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include PTSD, teeth grinding, right arm carpal tunnel syndrome, back, neck, shoulder, and knee disorders, as well as a skin disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an eye disability was denied in a March 1979 rating decision. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim, resulting in denial. The appeal is remanded for further examination regarding right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his left knee condition was previously denied, but new evidence has been submitted. The Board is remanding the case to determine if the left knee condition is due to or aggravated by his right knee condition.

The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder is dismissed. The claims for service connection for left knee disorder, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted with a 10% rating for the right knee scar.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability, including consideration of lateral instability. The case is being remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for residuals of right ankle sprain and residuals of left knee injury. The appeal for residuals of low back injury, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for further evaluation and clarification of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his right knee disability. The issues include rating adjustments and a combined schedular rating determination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating due to failure of the Veteran to RSVP for scheduled VA examinations. The proper procedures must be followed on remand.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death, and no new evidence or claims were presented.

The Veteran's initial rating for his left knee disability prior to August 13, 2014 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. From October 1, 2015, he is in receipt of a 30 percent evaluation for his service-connected left total knee replacement.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions, including HTLV Type 1, allergic rhinitis, right and left lower extremity paresthesia, and knee degenerative joint disease, were denied. The maximum schedular ratings were not assigned for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and need for a supplemental statement of the case, as well as an orthopedic examination.

The Board has restored a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, effective November 1, 2015. The reduction of the rating was improper due to lack of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.