Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for patellar tendonitis, right knee, prior to November 9, 2016, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the November 2016 VA examination. The examiner needs to provide additional information regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and a rating of 20 percent has been granted for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The claim for hypertension remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for scars and knee limitations of motion due to a lack of consideration of revised regulations in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The denial of service connection for a right knee disorder was also upheld due to the lack of relevant evidence.,Service connection for left knee arthritis has been granted, effective from September 25, 2015. However, the Veteran's claim for depression remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a VA examiner's opinion on whether his hearing loss was caused or aggravated by his service-connected psoriasis or left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for psoriatic arthritis is also remanded as it requires a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee pain due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of such claims at a hearing. The remaining issues, including those pertaining to an acquired psychiatric disorder and TBI, are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, but denied service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities as well as left knee and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that new VA medical examinations are required for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent prior to April 16, 2018, and 50 percent thereafter for limitation of motion. The VA has granted a higher rating based on the current evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his file, specifically an April 2018 examination. The claims will be reviewed again.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU was denied as he is already in receipt of the earliest possible effective date, April 1, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disorders, but the claim is still pending as ratings have not yet been assigned. The TDIU before November 26, 2010, remains remanded.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for PTSD has been granted. The issues of service connection for depression and PTSD, TBI, post-operative chondromalacia of the right knee, varus and valgus laxity of the right knee, low back strain, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.

The Board has decided that further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's left knee disability is related to service or secondary to his service-connected chronic lumbar strain.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination in June 2015, which did not address the severity of left knee flare-ups and their impact on function.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his service, specifically excessive running during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee and ankle conditions due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered with new examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a left knee injury, to include instability, and initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee DJD have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee status-post ACL reconstructive surgery was granted with an effective date of March 26, 2007. This decision is based on a line of duty determination letter from November 6, 2008.