Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for 10% ratings for right elbow bursitis and right knee patellofemoral syndrome were denied as there was no evidence of an increase in disability prior to March 26, 2014.

The Board has found that the Veteran's VA examinations for his cervical spine, knee disabilities, and mental health conditions have not been conducted as scheduled. The appeal is being remanded to reschedule these examinations and obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previous denial of service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The underlying claim of service connection for the left knee disability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected right knee disability due to insufficient evidence, specifically a lack of MRI. The case is being sent back for a new VA examination in accordance with current rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of a local hearing with a Decision Review Officer (DRO).

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause. The Board found that the failure to appear at the examinations resulted in a denial of his claims.

The Board has determined that the original claim for service connection for a left knee condition remains open and must be remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service injury are considered, along with updated treatment records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a previous meniscectomy, is rated at 60 percent from September 1, 2013 to February 10, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient examination findings and conflicting opinions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, including updated VA examinations and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder as not well grounded due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The Veteran did not appeal this decision, making it final.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus to active service or to any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's OSA disability is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The appeal for higher ratings on other conditions remains denied.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for low back, right hip, and right knee disabilities due to the inadequate nature of previous VA examinations. The new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are aggravated by a service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for CFS, enthesophyte posterior olecranon with radial head fracture of the right elbow, DJD with chondromalacia of the left knee, status post meniscal tear with degenerative changes and scarring of the right knee, and cervical spine spondylosis were denied. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for tension headaches and PTSD were granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his anxiety disorder and physical disabilities such as knee pain and shoulder impingement syndrome, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to these service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine, left and right knee disabilities due to lack of compliance with Court’s holding in Correia v. McDonald (2016) and Sharp v. Shulkin (2017). The claims are also remanded for a temporary total evaluation for a left knee disability due to convalescence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claims for service connection for left knee and left foot disorders are remanded as the RO did not address these issues in its decision.

The Board has decided to remand several issues, including service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to a lack of consideration of a secondary theory. The Veteran's obesity is not considered a disability for VA benefits but may be an intermediate step in determining secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various hip and knee disorders secondary to a right knee disability due to lack of VA examination.