Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and low back disabilities, as well as the propriety of a reduction in rating for his low back disability. The claims will be further evaluated after additional development is completed.

The Board has granted a temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery for right knee bursitis with osteoarthritis. The Veteran's gout is remanded for an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. His initial rating for left knee DJD is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders, but denied service connection for his left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his right lower leg residuals of a punji stick wound with scar was denied. His claims for service connection for right knee and ankle disorders were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and conducting additional examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis changes status post arthroscopic repair is rated at 10 percent, and the Veteran has a separate evaluation of 10 percent for right knee instability. The Veteran’s tinnitus is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.,For his cervical spine conditions, the Veteran has been granted evaluations in excess of 20 percent from February 5, 2015. His lumbar spine condition remains at a 20 percent evaluation prior to February 5, 2015 and is rated as 40 percent disabling after that date.,The Veteran's progressive muscle atrophy associated with spondylosis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been remanded for further review. His sleep apnea remains at a 50 percent evaluation, and his radiculopathy conditions have also been remanded.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded to allow the VA to obtain any outstanding treatment records and then review your cases again.

The Board found no current disabilities of the bilateral shoulder, cervical spine, or right knee. The Veteran's reported traumatic brain injury and sleep apnea were not supported by evidence in service records or post-service treatment notes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and restless leg syndrome was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected deviated nasal septum and allergic rhinitis with sinusitis. A 40 percent disability rating is granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from March 8, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a non-initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased evaluation due to incomplete records, unclear dates of active duty periods, and need for medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

Service connection for PTSD has been granted.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability have been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a middle finger of the right hand condition, back dorsal condition, left knee condition, and right ankle condition due to insufficient medical evidence. A VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reduction of his right knee instability rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has the education and training for sedentary administrative work.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed. The Board denied a higher rating for hypertension, but remanded the issues of increased ratings for bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disorder. The claims are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the TDIU and the granted rating for hypertension. The claims for service connection, initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for various conditions, and other issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of September 21, 2013, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim for a bilateral knee disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.