Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an effective date prior to July 23, 2014 for service connection and a higher evaluation for her osteoarthritis, left knee are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disorder, low back disorder, and peripheral vascular disease as secondary to a low back disorder. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining STRs, VA treatment records, and additional examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, left leg above-knee amputation, and end-stage kidney disease are all granted service connection due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for the left knee condition and denied increased ratings for the right knee disability. The Veteran's right knee disability is characterized by pain, limitation of flexion to 90 degrees, and limitation of extension to 5 degrees.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of initial compensable ratings for cervical spine disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and right great toenail disability.

The Veteran's right knee strain is granted service connection, but his right hip disability is denied as not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for various foot, knee, and back disorders as well as fibromyalgia. The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions that her conditions began in service or were caused by any service-connected disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical strain, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity sciatica, right hip strain, and left hip and left knee disabilities. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, low back disability, hip disorders, knee disorders, and ankle disorders due to incomplete service treatment records. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and completing a VA Form 21-8940 to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals to reopen claims for service connection for various joint disabilities, including arthritis of the elbows, hands, knees, feet, and low back. The evidence received since the December 2012 rating decision supports a finding that these conditions may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for stage three kidney failure has been reopened, and the rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome remains at 10 percent. The rating for left elbow epicondylitis is still at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle conditions, finding no chronic disabilities in his service records. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions with an effective date of June 30, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to in-service injury.,For the groin muscle disability claim, the Veteran's diagnosis was not confirmed by medical examination. The Board found that he does not have a current groin muscle condition.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for bilateral hip disability, spinal curvature (spine disability), and bilateral knee disability due to lack of a nexus opinion. The Veteran's representative asserts that the June 2018 VA opinion was inadequate as it did not consider the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating effective May 2, 2005. The Veteran's SMC based on aid and attendance was granted effective April 3, 2006.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings granted due to the lack of evidence showing more than limited motion.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for right knee and left shoulder disabilities. The claim for service connection for left shoulder disability, which is secondary to a service-connected right shoulder disability, was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran’s claims of service connection for a right knee disability, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, sleep apnea, TBI, headaches, seizure disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.