Knee Board decisions

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for the evaluations assigned for his right shoulder and left knee disabilities. The Board finds that there may be relevant VA outpatient treatment records from prior to the September 2020 rating decision, which could potentially affect whether an increase in severity was factually ascertainable during those periods.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to potential missing treatment records and deficiencies in the VA examinations used. The Veteran will need new disability benefit questionnaires completed, as well as new VA examinations with specific range of motion measurements.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including the failure to obtain private treatment records and employment information from his employer. The issue of mootness regarding the combined 100 percent rating for service-connected disabilities was not addressed.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to service connection for PTSD based on MST and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain. The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has determined that the decision on appeal is legally inadequate due to insufficient notification and an inadequately supported medical opinion. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service connected, effective August 19, 2009. The Veteran's MDD is rated at 70 percent and his TDIU due to MDD is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, but remanded the issues of secondary service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities as well as back disability due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including left and right knee osteoarthritis, were denied increased ratings. The Veteran was granted separate 10 percent ratings for instability in both knees.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are granted with an effective date of April 1, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities precluded him from securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation since April 2009.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection in all cases.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings of depressive disorder and erectile dysfunction has been withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted, with a finding that it was related to service exposure. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied due to his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and denied service connection for headaches, cervical spine disability, low back disability, right knee disability, and psychiatric disability (PTSD).

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to errors in fulfilling VA's duty to assist, including obtaining medical opinions and examinations. The character of discharge issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his right thigh condition, as well as service connection for hip conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated during active duty. The right and left knee disabilities are also found to be related to her service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral shin splints, and/or bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee instability, left knee instability, and migraines due to a lack of authorization for private medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis is granted as service connected, and his obstructive sleep apnea is denied.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, erectile dysfunction (ED), right hip disability, left hip disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE), radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability due to lack of credible evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of July 1, 2012. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected right and left knee disabilities as of February 3, 2014, but stopped working in late June 2012.