Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left and right knee chondromalacia due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and basis for denying higher ratings for the left knee disability, including during flare-ups. The Veteran is required to provide VA treatment records from March 2017 to the present and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the appellant's service connection claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, vestibular/balance disorder (claimed as dizziness), left knee disorder, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to outstanding records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records not being obtained. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization forms for any private treatment records from Lakeland Regional Medical Center and Winter Haven Hospital.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthrosis is a result of service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee brace was granted a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year due to its tendency to wear out or tear his pants. However, he did not receive an allowance for steroid cream used on his legs as there were no service-connected conditions requiring such treatment.

The Board has denied the claim for right knee arthritis but granted service connection for left knee strain and thoracolumbar strain as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU as of May 7, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of her right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking her current condition to her military service.

The appeal for service connection of a right knee disability and COPD associated with asbestos exposure is dismissed. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his left knee disabilities and service-connected IBS. The tinnitus claim has been denied as there is no legal basis for a schedular rating greater than 10 percent.

The Veteran's hepatitis is granted service connection. The left knee instability rating is restored to 20 percent, and the limitation of flexion remains at 10 percent.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed left ear hearing loss or sciatic nerve disability for VA purposes, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions. The Board also found insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's bilateral leg and knee disabilities were aggravated by his time in service.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis with narrowing of the medial compartment is rated at 10 percent, and a separate 20 percent rating for the meniscal tear is granted since July 27, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including gathering information about his employment history and considering any periods of marginal employment.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition and remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The case is now being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner did not address whether direct service connection is warranted based on diagnoses of patellofemoral syndrome in service and post-service pain and surgery. The Veteran's left knee disability may be caused or aggravated by his service-connected right patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck, shoulder, right-hand, knee, foot, and ankle disabilities are not properly adjudicated due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA examiners. The Board therefore remands these issues for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating due to lack of VA treatment records, need for a new examination, and issues with functional loss during flare-ups.