Knee Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, residuals of heat stroke, and gastrointestinal disorder (IBS). The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s chronic diarrhea.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for painful limited flexion and slight lateral instability, but does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5257 (instability) or 5260/5261 (flexion/extension).

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, including whether it is related to service or any event, disease, or injury during service, as well as whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's left ear deep attic retraction pocket with minimal cholesteatoma is granted an increased rating of 10 percent. The right knee disability, chronic sinusitis, possible complications of the left ear disability, and irritable bowel syndrome are all remanded for further review.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion addressing findings from a November 2015 VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Board has remanded two issues: rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine on and after May 6, 2011; and rating for torn anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee with instability. The Veteran must be provided new examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's partial right knee replacement warranted a temporary total rating from April 16, 2010 to May 16, 2011. A subsequent minimum 30 percent rating was assigned effective May 17, 2011. The claim for a greater than 30 percent rating beginning June 1, 2013 is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain medical records and for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's gout, hypertension, and PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for lumbar IVDS and lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's appeal seeking service connection for a left knee disability is remanded due to the lack of issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of his left knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected left ankle sprain. The effective date is set at December 3, 2015, which is when the Veteran submitted a new claim for an increased rating for his right ankle sprain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence after his last Statements of the Case. The claims for higher initial ratings and increased rating will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and multiple knee disabilities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 2013.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various disabilities, including tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, numbness in the right hand, bilateral knee disability, left hip disability, spinal meningitis, and sleep apnea. The effective dates for these issues are not addressed as they are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including left knee instability and a potential secondary hip disorder. The case is referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's left leg below knee amputation is rated at 60% and his left shoulder rotator cuff tear with impingement syndrome remains at 20%. The Board has ordered a remand for further examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 20 percent effective March 3, 2017. The Board has ordered additional development for other claims and issues.

The Veteran's left knee disability, prior to June 8, 2010, is rated at 20 percent due to moderate joint space narrowing and painful limitation of motion. The Board found no evidence of marked impairment or instability warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before proceeding with the adjudication of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that the reductions in evaluations for left knee laxity and strain were not proper, and has restored the original 10 percent ratings. The case is remanded to obtain an examination for carpal tunnel syndrome and toe disorder.