Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental medical nexus opinion to address the relationship between his service-connected bilateral pes planus and his claimed low back, hip, and knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's left knee DJD is currently rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The VA examiner noted pain on motion and limited range of motion in flexion.,Left knee instability secondary to service-connected DJD with tendonitis and chondromalacia has been granted a 10 percent rating since December 21, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability was rated as non-compensable prior to June 22, 2009 and a 10 percent rating from that date. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or recurrent subluxation/lateral instability warranting higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5256-5257, nor did the Veteran's range of motion meet criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left knee disability and found new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The Veteran's cancer was not present during his active service or related to such service. His TBI is currently rated at 10 percent, but he asserts it should be higher. His headaches are currently rated at 30 percent and he asserts they should be higher.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not preexist service and was not aggravated by service, and thus denied service connection for a right knee disability. The gastrointestinal disability claim is remanded as there are insufficient post-service treatment records to establish in-service onset.

The Board has determined that additional service records are needed and a VA examination is required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent based on recurrent instability, and a separate rating of 10 percent for limitation of flexion due to pain. The lumbosacral spine disability is also rated at 20 percent. No higher ratings are warranted as the evidence does not support ankylosis or severe forward flexion limitations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that her current condition is not related to her active duty service or service-connected bilateral pes planus.,The Veteran was also denied TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities not precluding gainful employment.

The Veteran's right and left knee instability have been rated as 10 percent each, but the Board has granted separate ratings of 20 percent for semilunar cartilage dislocation in both knees.,The Veteran is also entitled to a combined rating of 40 percent for his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not manifest in service, is not related to service, and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background from December 17, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to assess his current symptomatology and associated functional loss or impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and examination. The issues of service connection for back disability and right knee disability are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of service connection and re-adjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition is not related to his service-connected recurrent pilonidal cyst, and thus does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection. The other issues have also been denied.

The Veteran's service connection for left ear hearing loss, right knee instability (meniscal tear), and post-operative left knee with arthritis has been granted. The Veteran is assigned a noncompensable disability rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain service department records and other pertinent medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues related to service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with a focus on determining whether his current condition is related to service, specifically addressing any preexisting conditions and their potential impact.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury and granted service connection. The Veteran also has been granted service connection for depression and bilateral knee arthritis.,Service connection is granted for lumbar disc disease, depressive disorder, and bilateral knee arthritis.