Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current knee disability and her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his right knee disability, finding that there is no competent evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20% due to slight subluxation and painful movement. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no objective evidence of more severe instability or limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence showing the Veteran was seen and prescribed pain medication in June 2009 for back pain and bilateral knee pain. The claims will be adjudicated on a de novo basis.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective September 26, 2003.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective September 26, 2003.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective September 26, 2003.,The Veteran's right knee disability is not entitled to a higher initial rating than 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee disability is not entitled to a higher initial rating than 10 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs is rated at 50 percent, effective September 26, 2003.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral knee strain, costochondritis (claimed as a right-side rib cage injury), bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. The Board found no current disabilities that meet VA criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, left and right ear hearing loss disabilities, and tinnitus are all granted as service-connected. The lumbar spine disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for right-hand skin condition has not been reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected left knee conditions, including osteoarthritis, status post-meniscus tear repair, and left knee instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which affect a single body system or arise from a common etiology, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entirety of the appeal period. As such, entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine foraminal stenosis and status post left knee meniscectomies were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a rating in excess of the current assigned evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examination report, and the need for further medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's depression and adjustment disorder secondary to left shoulder, left knee, and low back pain are rated at 50% prior to June 12, 2017. A rating of 70% is granted for the period from June 12, 2017 forward. The associated lumbar LLE radiculopathy is rated at 10%. The limitation of motion on extension of the left knee is rated at 0%, and a separate rating not to exceed 10% for non-LOM symptoms of left knee bursitis and posterior cruciate ligament strain (September 10, 2011 to April 21, 2014) is granted. The superficial painful scars are rated at 0%, and a compensable rating for scar residual, forehead, is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and left knee disorder. The claim for vertigo is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative changes and patellar spur condition, but denied all other issues. The claim for right thigh scar is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a right thigh scar. The claims for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are also denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for chondromalacia of the left knee was granted, and a rating of 70 percent for schizophrenia was granted. The claims for varicose vein of the left testicle and increased rating for schizophrenia were denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back pain, left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's statements and private treatment records indicate she had injuries in service, but the VA examinations did not consider these factors or provide a rationale for their conclusions.