Knee Board decisions

The Board has restored the original ratings of 30 percent for each knee and granted a higher rating of 60 percent under DC 5055, as the evidence shows chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in both knees.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, left knee disability, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of proper VCAA notice.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, resulting in a total rating of 20 percent. The Board found that the disability does not warrant an increase to a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD, alcohol dependence, headaches, cirrhosis of the liver, GI disorder, bilateral knee disorder, kidney disease, spleen disorder, hypertension, keratoderma (a skin condition), and sleep disorder are all secondary to his service-connected conditions.,The VA has not provided sufficient evidence regarding the onset or causation of the Veteran's GI disorder, bilateral knee disorder, kidney disease, spleen disorder, hypertension, keratoderma (a skin condition), and sleep disorder. The Veteran’s hepatitis C is also under review for secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, pes planus, and diabetes mellitus type II due to incomplete examination requests and failure to notify the Veteran of his scheduled examinations. The AOJ is instructed to make additional attempts to verify the Veteran’s address and ensure he is properly notified.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for synovitis, multiple joints; left knee osteoarthritis; and right knee osteoarthritis. The VA examiner found that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an updated VA examination of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including DJD and osteoarthritis, is being remanded for further development to determine if it is related to service. The temporary total rating claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals, abrasion/contusion, patella of the right knee was reopened and granted. Service connection for tinnitus was granted. The claims for a right knee disability and left knee disability were denied.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is rated at a separate 10 percent from August 28, 2008 to December 4, 2016. From December 5, 2016 onwards, the Veteran is rated at 20 percent for frequent episodes of locking, pain and effusion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and left knee disorders. The claim for a low back disorder is denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to service or any service-connected disability.

The claim of service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The claim for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee and left shoulder disabilities due to a failure to appear for VA examinations. The Veteran is required to report for scheduled examinations or provide notice of non-attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The Board also found that there is no link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate or incomplete examination reports and because there is evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 40% since May 19, 2015. The right knee and acquired psychiatric disorder claims have been reopened.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee strain, gastrointestinal disability other than gastroesophageal reflux disease, and total rating due to unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities. The appellant needs to undergo further examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's increased evaluation for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the lack of recent VA examination and incomplete medical records.

This decision denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's sleep disorder, PTSD, degenerative changes L5-S1 spine, bilateral lower extremity sciaticus, right total knee replacement, left knee degenerative arthritis, and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and requests for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying in-service stressors.