Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's increased rating for left knee disorder since January 30, 2013 is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, prior to October 4, 2017, was rated at 10 percent due to painful motion without additional limitation of flexion or extension. The Board found no evidence supporting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA examinations and outdated treatment records. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and right knee disability are pending.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for right knee, right leg venous insufficiency, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for a new medical opinion on its etiology. The claim for service connection for the right leg venous insufficiency is also remanded with a request for a new examination and opinion.,The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and pain disorder associated with both psychological factors and a general medical condition are being remanded for a new examination by a psychologist or psychiatrist to determine their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his right knee disability, migraines, left thumb disability (status post reduction and casting), and inversion sprain of the right ankle. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left thumb disability was rated at 10%, the cervical spine disability at 20% from October 27, 2010 to July 26, 2015, and at 30% since July 27, 2015; the lumbar spine disability at 40%; the bilateral knee disability at 10%; and TDIU was denied from October 27, 2010 to June 30, 2011. The effective date for the 30% rating for cervical spine disability remains July 27, 2015.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,For his right knee condition, left ankle strain, right ankle strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with hallux valgus, the Board has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and right knee disorders are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims. The Board will seek further medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication, including addressing the propriety of a reduction in rating and an increased evaluation for right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disorder, and left knee disorder due to incomplete records. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered in determining if his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee and foot disabilities are found to have caused his current low back, right knee, and left foot degenerative joint diseases. As such, the claims for these conditions are granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability resulted in persistent weakness and loss of motion, which was not reasonably foreseeable. The Board granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for this additional disability. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's hypertension and right knee disability are being remanded for further evaluation. The sleep apnea syndrome claim remains pending. The rating for the right knee is also being remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection of right ear hearing loss is granted. The Board finds that the evidence submitted since the last final denial relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and secondary service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to the right knee disability due to lack of evidence linking current conditions to service.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected back and bilateral knee disabilities, which limit his ability to perform physical tasks.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and right knee conditions, as well as tinea pedis (bilateral).,Service connection was denied for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for hypertension, right lower extremity musculoskeletal disability (arthritis/right knee osteoarthritis), left lower extremity joint disability (arthritis/left knee osteoarthritis), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and private records that need to be considered.