Knee Board decisions

The Board has reopened several service connection claims but has remanded them for further development and medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination for rating purposes and requests a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's osteoarthritis, right knee.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no evidence of a dentoalveolar fracture related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his right hip disability. Additional development is needed to obtain private treatment records and conduct a VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD with anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, panic disorder, alcohol abuse, and cocaine abuse prior to March 4, 2017, as the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.,No effective date is assigned as the evidence does not indicate a worsening in the one year prior to March 16, 2018.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction, claiming it is secondary to a service-connected lumbar strain. The effective dates for separate ratings for left knee scars, radiculopathy in the left lower extremity, and limitation of extension of the left hip have been determined.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 8, 2009. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee scar, an evaluation of 30 percent for vertigo, and an evaluation of 20 percent for two scars on the left knee and a scar on right ankle are all granted. The remaining issues remain pending.

The Board has granted an extension of a temporary total rating for service-connected residuals of left knee injury, postoperative based on convalescence following surgery. The Veteran's claim for higher disability ratings and TDIU is also REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's right hip disorder and Osgood-Schlatter disease of the right knee are related to service or secondary to a pre-existing condition.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of the Veteran's appeal and consideration under FDC effective date rules. The claims will be reconsidered with any additional development needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and leg disability, left knee and leg disability, and lower back disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any other cause.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain and left knee tendinosis are granted service connection.,Further evaluations for the right elbow, left hip, and left lower rib conditions are needed.

The Board has found that further development is required before the Veteran's remaining claims are decided, including determining whether his August 21, 2010 motor vehicle accident occurred during a period of active service and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right-knee patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral Achilles tendonitis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to incomplete records and lack of in-service diagnosis.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that further VA examinations of the Veteran’s lumbar spine and right and left knee disabilities are needed to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee recurrent subluxation or lateral instability and limitation of extension has been denied. A separate rating of 10 percent is granted for limitation of flexion from October 21, 2013 to September 23, 2014.