Knee Board decisions

The Board found that discontinuance of VR&E services based on a negative feasibility determination was proper due to the Veteran's significant physical health issues and extensive limitations in his activities. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, back disorder, bilateral flatfoot, and degenerative joint disease of the left anterior crest have been denied.,The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service or any service-connected disabilities.

All claims for service connection and rating increases have been dismissed due to the appellant not filing an adequate substantive appeal.,The Board lacks jurisdiction over the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for left hip pain based on limitation of extension of the left thigh, entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left hip pain based on limitation of flexion of the left thigh, and entitlement to an effective date earlier than April 27, 2015, for the award of a 20 percent rating for left hip pain based on impairment of the left thigh.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, left knee retropatellar syndrome with mild instability and decreased mobility, and migraine headaches are all granted. The effective dates for these grants are July 23, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for further examination of his left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an additional VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability, as his service-connected condition may have worsened since the last examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings and TDIU due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of bilateral hearing loss and left knee disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claim for a bilateral knee disability. The claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to anxiety disorder), are remanded due to insufficient medical nexus opinions. Additionally, temporary total evaluations based on hospital treatment and convalescence are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability due to inadequate VA examination and lack of consideration of all relevant evidence, including lay statements.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for right knee condition due to new and material evidence. However, both issues of service connection for right knee disability and lumbar spine disability are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to or aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient medical evidence on file. The issues include service connection for PTSD and alcohol abuse disorder, right knee condition, left knee condition, and sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow condition, right elbow condition, and bilateral knee condition due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to his current conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and granted the application to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus. The case is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The issues of entitlement to service connection for allergic rhinitis, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, and left knee disability are all being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the spine and right knee bursitis were denied.,No specific rating or effective date was assigned in this decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for stomach condition and left knee condition due to new evidence submitted. The claims are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship of these conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to address service connection claims, increased rating claims, and separate ratings for surgical scars. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, OSA, hammertoe disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral plantar calluses are at issue.

The Veteran's right ankle strain is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects moderate limitation of motion. The Board finds no evidence of marked limitation of motion.,For the period prior to July 26, 2016, the Veteran’s DJD of the right knee was characterized by pain and some limitation of motion; however, there is no indication of ankylosis or severe symptoms warranting a higher rating. Since July 26, 2016, the Veteran's right foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis with callus on the great toe have resulted in moderate to severe unilateral symptoms.,Prior to July 31, 2013, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to cervical strain. Since then, his disability has not met the criteria for favorable ankylosis or severe recurrent subluxation/lateral instability warranting a higher rating.,For the period prior to July 26, 2016, the Veteran's major depressive disorder did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. Since then, his condition has resulted in such impairment but not to the extent that it would meet the criteria for greater disability.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left knee, unspecified headache, and cervical spine disabilities due to lack of evidence showing onset or relationship to service.