Knee Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, which is believed to have been caused by a falling tree during service and a car accident after service.

The Veteran's right fibular fracture disability is granted at a 30% rating, effective from April 3, 2019.

Service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee is granted, and a separate rating in excess of 10 percent for neuropathy of the right lower extremity to include the foot is also granted. Service connection for a head injury is denied. The claim of service connection for a right hip disorder is reopened, but no specific rating or effective date was assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence in their current state. A new examination is needed to evaluate these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence received after the August 2016 supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates due to a lack of updated assessments. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and left knee DJD are granted service connection. The case is remanded for further development regarding the left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral knee disability is granted, but the appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and schedule the Veteran for an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for an earlier effective date for service connection, a restoration of his 100% rating, and to reopen his claims for bilateral knee pain and osteoarthritis. The reduction in rating for squamous cell carcinoma was restored.

The Veteran's hypertension and left ear hearing loss have been evaluated based on the evidence of record. The Board has determined that a compensable rating for hypertension is not warranted, while an initial increased rating for left ear hearing loss is denied.,For several issues in this case, including service connection for various conditions such as a heart condition, nerve disorder affecting the left side of the body, left hand disorder, and vision disorder of the left eye, VA examinations were determined to be not warranted due to lack of evidence of current disorders. However, recent private medical records have been submitted indicating current disorders that may be associated with service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's knee condition, which is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right total knee arthroplasty is secondary to his service-connected right knee chondromalacia patella.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and for TDIU due to concerns about the current severity of his conditions, which require a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee injury is causing or aggravating his left and right hip conditions. The claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain updated medical opinions regarding the nature, extent, and severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for further development.

The Veteran's right knee condition has not met the criteria for a higher rating, while his left knee condition prior to June 16, 2017, also did not meet the criteria. The case is remanded due to issues with the left knee.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left foot disorder, right knee disorder, and lower back disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.