Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for umbilical hernia, hiatal hernia, RLS and periodic leg movement disorder (left knee), and awarded a 10% disability rating effective October 5, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability and additional functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, including an evaluation in excess of 20 percent and SMC for loss of use of the left foot. The total disability evaluation claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted service connection, while his bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis are denied due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection must be remanded again due to insufficient information regarding his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and further development is needed for examinations related to his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate statement of reasons or bases for denying a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability. The matter is now remanded for further action, including a new VA examination and consideration of extraschedular ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his lay reports of symptomatology and exposure during active duty.

The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected back disability with radiculopathy caused or aggravated his fall injury at work, which in turn resulted in his left knee condition.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board finds that medical clarification is required regarding whether the Veteran needs regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have current right ear or left ear hearing loss to a level recognized as a ratable disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of right and left knee conditions, leading to their dismissal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder strain and right knee strain with osteoarthritis, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, which are secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right knee strain and instability have been granted separate ratings, with the right knee strain receiving a 10 percent rating and the right knee instability receiving a 20 percent rating.

The Board has decided that the AOJ did not consider new service personnel records when denying the Veteran's claim for a bilateral knee and leg condition, leading to a remand. The case is now being reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on multiple conditions is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The issues include tinnitus, major depressive disorder (MDD), lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), right lower extremity radiculopathy, right wrist sprain, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee instability with traumatic arthritis is granted a 20 percent rating, effective February 7, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The reduction of the rating for bronchitis from 30 percent to 10 percent was upheld, but restoration of the 30 percent rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the left and right shoulders as well as knees, finding that the Veteran's condition is at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service.