Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because his notice of disagreement (NOD) regarding the March 28, 2013 rating decision was not timely filed within one year from the date of the letter informing him of the determination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is needed for both left knee disability service connection and right knee disability rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for lower and upper back problems was granted. The Board also remanded several issues including increased ratings, initial compensable disability ratings, and service connection claims.

The Veteran's hypertension and GERD ratings are granted, but her claims for service connection of various conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The claims for bilateral ankle disability and bilateral knee disability are denied, but the low back disability with right side radiculopathy remains under review.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain in-service and post-service treatment records for the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a right knee disability is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted, reopening the claim. Service connection for a left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for fibromyalgia, left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain due to lack of adequate medical evidence in the record. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to determine if he meets the diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and whether his bilateral knee and ankle disabilities are related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to October 22, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of low back pain and right knee condition due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left side varicocele, right foot plantar wart, and sinusitis with rhinitis were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for a left knee disorder.,A separate issue of entitlement to SMC for loss of use of creative organ (left testicle) has been referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected.,Prior to April 24, 2015, the Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent. As of April 24, 2015, it was rated at 20 percent but no higher.,The Veteran's hypertension has not required continuous use of medication for control and is not manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or a history thereof, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more.

The Veteran's service-connected status post left inguinal hernia is not secondary to his right inguinal hernia and is therefore denied.,The Veteran's right fifth finger disability has been rated as non-compensable, with no evidence of limitation of motion or functional impairment. A higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's right knee disability (including gout) has been rated at 10 percent since June 20, 2019. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability based on unemployability (TDIU) due to issues with the Veteran's credibility and incomplete examinations. New VA examinations are needed to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disabilities are related to military service or caused by his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral knee condition was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for a VA knee examination to determine the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and its impact on his ability to work.