Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent for both the Veteran's right and left knee patellar femoral syndrome, effective as of January 28, 2020.

The Veteran's right knee DJD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left knee DJD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; coronary artery disease (CAD); peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities; thoracolumbar spine condition (back condition); and right knee degenerative joint disease (right knee condition) due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's military service in Vietnam is potentially relevant for these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as his recent grants of 10 percent ratings did not address all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims to reopen are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is also being remanded as it may be related to his lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is being remanded because more recent treatment records are needed, and a new examination is required due to the severity of his condition.,The Veteran's multilevel lumbar disc disease is being remanded for a new examination as it may have worsened since the last evaluation.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded because an opinion on whether it is related to service-connected lumbar spine disability is needed.,The Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities are also being remanded due to the need for medical opinions regarding their relationship to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is being remanded as a new examination is required, including an assessment of whether it is related to his in-service injury.,The Veteran's bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome and lower extremity numbness are also being remanded for medical opinions on their relationship to service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as more detailed information regarding the impact of his disabilities on his employment is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of left knee sprain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury. The decision also reopened the claim due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and sleep disorders are remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left wrist CTS have been granted with specific disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal of the effective date for right shoulder arthritis and TDIU is denied. The case is remanded to obtain a new opinion on his left knee disability, and to consider whether extra-schedular TDIU should be granted prior to July 15, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no direct or secondary service connection based on the lack of evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right knee disorder. An addendum opinion on the respiratory disorder claim is also needed.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee contusion and arthritis with painful limited motion are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted.,The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU as his disabilities do not meet the criteria for such.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, chronic bronchitis, heart disability, stomach condition (to include ulcers), and epidermal inclusion cyst. The Board found that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The appellant has withdrawn their appeal regarding the service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and right ankle disabilities. As a result, the Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen her previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder and has also determined that she is entitled to service connection for this condition as secondary to her service-connected multilevel degenerative disc disease most noted at L4-L5 and L5-S1. The decision resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient examination and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues are related to bilateral pes planus and a bilateral knee disability, with the latter potentially secondary to the former.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of service connection claims, including those related to left lower extremity neurological conditions, right lower extremity neurological conditions, left knee conditions, right knee conditions, right ankle conditions, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right shin splint, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle tendonitis.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and rating determinations for his hearing loss, back disorder, knee disorders, and psychiatric condition. The claims are currently in remanded status due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal. The Board has also determined that additional examinations are needed for several issues, including left shoulder strain, right elbow bursitis, cervical strain, thoracolumbar strain and scoliosis, right extensor carpi ulnaris subluxation, left extensor carpi ulnaris subluxation, lipoma on the abdomen, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right hand disability, hearing loss, psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and jaw disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence and an inadequate VA examination.