Knee Board decisions

The claim for service connection for lower and upper back pain was dismissed as the Veteran was granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, which covers the entire period on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, left shoulder disability, right hip disability, and left knee disability as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of right knee torn meniscus as secondary to left knee s/p total joint arthroplasty due to an inadequate VA medical opinion.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left knee scars and denied an initial compensable rating for left knee scars.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg above the knee amputation and lung condition, to include lung cancer, as further development is needed.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for limitation of extension of the left knee, subject to the amputation rule, and denied all other claims.

The Board restored the 70 percent evaluation for major depressive disorder, denied an increased rating, and remanded several other claims.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted a rating of 50 percent, but no more. Other claims for service connection were denied or remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, but remanded the claims for headaches and right knee disability for further development.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disorders, as additional development is needed prior to adjudication.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for right and left knee instability from August 15, 2022 to January 28, 2025, a 50 percent rating for right knee ankylosis from January 28, 2025, and a 60 percent rating for left knee ankylosis from January 28, 2025. The claim for a higher disability rating for left knee limitation of extension prior to January 28, 2025 was denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for left knee arthritis and meniscal tear (limitation of flexion) and instability, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee limitation of extension from January 31, 2008 to April 19, 2022.

The Board granted service connection for left knee disability, to include left knee joint osteoarthritis on an aggravation basis and for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities. The claim for a higher initial rating for lumbosacral strain with IVDS was denied.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and scoliosis, and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis based on the Veteran's credible lay statements and continued symptoms since service.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, a right knee disability, and a left knee disability as secondary to the right knee disability.

The appeal of the September 2024 denial of service connection for a right knee disability and a right shoulder disability is dismissed as these claims are now moot due to subsequent grants of service connection. The initial rating for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) was denied, while an initial rating of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was granted.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability and a 20 percent rating for left, right sciatic radiculopathy, and left, right femoral radiculopathy. The claims for increased ratings for left ankle and knee disabilities were denied.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma disorder and remanded claims for service connection for hypertension and a left knee disability.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for left knee flexion and denied a higher rating for left knee extension.

The Board denied increased ratings for the right and left knee disabilities, granted a 20 percent rating for the right knee meniscal tear prior to February 18, 2016, dismissed TDIU, and denied special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria.