Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee has been rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for limitation of extension. The right knee has been rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion, with additional ratings for limitation of extension.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) claim was remanded but not yet adjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip DJD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected total knee replacement with DJD, right knee.,However, a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability is still pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left and right knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate examination findings and lack of treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorders due to a lack of medical evidence and an examination. The Veteran served as an aircraft mechanic, which may have contributed to his current knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome due to inadequate medical evidence in the previous examinations. The VA is directed to obtain an examination consistent with the guidance provided in Sharp v. Shulkin, focusing on functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and left eye disorders, but denied both claims as there is no current diagnosis of a right knee disorder or a compensable left eye disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to service connection issues. The Veteran's statements indicate he sustained injuries during active duty in Panama, but his service records do not confirm this. Additional verification is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hand strain, thoracolumbar strain, bilateral knee strain, and migraine headaches due to incomplete medical records and unclear diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of his bilateral knee, leg, and shoulder conditions. The VA is instructed to obtain new examinations by qualified medical professionals.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for his right knee, left knee, hip, and low back conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The appeal regarding a bilateral knee condition is remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder is granted. Service connection for a right hand disorder is denied.

The claim for service connection of the right knee disability is being remanded due to new evidence showing a current disability. The issue of aggravation by service-connected left knee disability will also be addressed as it impacts the temporary total evaluation.

The Board has remanded both issues: an increased rating for the left knee disability and a request for an earlier effective date for additional amount payable for the Veteran's dependent spouse.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis and right total knee replacement are granted as service-connected due to in-service combat injuries.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's left and right knee chondromalacia are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,Prior to December 6, 2016, the Veteran's hypertension was rated as noncompensable. Since then, it has been rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depression, and generalized anxiety disorder) is currently rated at 30 percent prior to December 6, 2016, and 70 percent from that date.,PTSD alone was not rated higher than 70 percent since it does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded both claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees due to new evidence submitted after the January 2015 statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left hip disability, right knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records indicate multiple shrapnel wounds during service in Vietnam.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected right knee disability, finding that the criteria were not met. The Veteran's current rating is based on malunion of the tibia and fibula with moderate knee impairment.