Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee instability and limitation of motion have been rated at 30 percent since March 1, 2020. The rating is based on the current functional impairment due to his service-connected DJD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, low back, and right knee disabilities have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing the Veteran currently has a diagnosis of hypertension.

Service connection granted for bilateral kidney disease and right knee disability. Service connection denied for arthritis of the entire joint system and GERD.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was not shown in service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and a new VA examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted for the Veteran's right knee condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are being reviewed again with an addendum opinion from a different examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left knee disability and TDIU due to issues with the examination provided, as well as the Veteran's reported worsening quality of life.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his status-post total knee replacement and prior degenerative changes, is rated at 30 percent from July 1, 2015. The claim for increased ratings was denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and readjudication due to inadequate examinations in the previous rating decisions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was submitted and a new examination is needed for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability due to a potential worsening since his last VA examination. The right knee patellofemoral syndrome claim also needs further review.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of right calcaneal fracture, finding that the additional disabilities were not caused by VA's care.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for increased ratings for left knee patella femoral syndrome and chronic left ankle sprain have been denied. The Veteran was found not to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or social phobia at any time during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's ratings for his left and right knee disabilities were adjusted, with the left knee receiving a higher rating of 20 percent effective February 20, 2008, and the right knee receiving a higher rating of 10 percent effective June 12, 2015. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinea pedis, a bilateral knee disability, a low back disability, and a burn scar of the left shoulder. The Veteran's symptoms were observed in-service and have continued to present post-service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right shoulder labral tear with rotator cuff tendonitis were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of the disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records, including SSA disability benefits and VA medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and higher ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability, effective July 11, 2014. The condition is manifested by flexion limited to 120 degrees and extension to 0 degrees.

The Veteran's right knee internal derangement status post ACL reconstruction is rated at 20 percent for the entire period on appeal. The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's applications to reopen his previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for various knee, ankle, and hearing loss disorders must be reconsidered under the correct regulatory framework. The case is being remanded to issue a supplemental statement of the case.