Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a recent VA examination report. A new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since December 29, 2011. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to limited flexion and no instability or other conditions.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, headaches, back condition, nose condition, bilateral hearing loss, patellofemoral syndrome with hyperextension injury and suspected ACL involvement of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and residuals of a right shoulder injury. The Board has determined that further development is needed for these issues.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The ratings for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder, and right knee disorder are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, and foot disabilities due to inadequate consideration of lay statements and buddy statements in the VA examiner's opinions.

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion, and a separate evaluation of 10 percent has been granted for symptomatic removal of cartilage. The current rating reflects the Veteran's symptoms without additional limitations.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis status-post meniscectomy is currently rated at 50% from October 16, 2018. The right knee osteoarthritis status-post meniscectomy remains at a 10% rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected diabetes and has granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran also has been awarded special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ due to erectile dysfunction. However, several other claims have been remanded as there are outstanding records needed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for prior to June 14, 2018 is granted. The VA has also remanded the issues of ratings for left knee flexion and extension.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, including ratings for tibia and fibula impairment, limitation of flexion, extension, and instability. The Board has determined that further development is needed due to incomplete examination reports.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not substantially comply with its remand directives and has therefore ordered further development for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right ankle, and left ankle conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board has remanded several claims including those for lightning strike residuals, numbness in hands and toes, GERD, skin disorder, discoid lupus, cataracts, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right ankle sprain and left knee degenerative changes, finding that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation under applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, hemorrhoids, and left knee disability were denied because he failed to appear at the scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss, a compensable evaluation for chronic right knee strain with limitation of extension, and a compensable evaluation for chronic rhinitis due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his right and left knee conditions did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of the record to determine appropriate ratings and service connection.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding no evidence of a chronic underlying condition that caused functional impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his left and right ankle disabilities. The rating of 10 percent for each foot hammertoe is maintained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck condition, back condition, and left-knee condition due to insufficient evidence regarding his in-service injuries.