Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claims and must dismiss this appeal for lack of jurisdiction at this time.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, TBI, tension headaches, a lumbar spine compression fracture, a right elbow fracture, scars of the right forearm, neuropathy of the right upper extremity, a right wrist fracture, and tinnitus previously found to be service connected for treatment purposes only is dismissed. Service connection for a right knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for knee, left and right chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis, cervical paraspinal tendonitis with degenerative disc disease other than IVDS, and lumbar paraspinal tendonitis with degenerative disc disease other than IVDS were denied. The evidence did not show that the Veteran's conditions warranted a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and remanded claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and back disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability due to insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis and no nexus to service.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding no evidence that the Veteran's current knee conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran was granted a separate rating of 20 percent from November 14, 2014, for a meniscal tear status post partial meniscectomy associated with degenerative joint disease of the right knee and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, left shoulder condition, and neck condition for further development, including scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's reported in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as left and right hip conditions due to incomplete review of private treatment records and inadequate opinions.

The Veteran's asthma was granted an earlier effective date of August 20, 2021.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was also granted with an effective date of August 20, 2021.

The Veteran's left knee instability was manifested by slight recurrent instability and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis were restored to a 50% rating, effective February 5, 2022. Increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral and sciatic nerves) and left knee limitation of extension were granted. Effective dates of May 25, 2021, were assigned for the increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his authorized representative.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety, as well as left knee condition due to a procedural error in issuing the November 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability prior to October 6, 2020 was denied. The claim for a separate rating for right knee instability prior to that date was granted with subject to regulations governing payment of monetary awards. The claim for an increased rating for the right knee arthroscopy from December 1, 2021 was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of examination or medical opinion regarding in-service injury and related disability.

The Veteran's GERD, lumbosacral strain, left hip iliopsoas tendinitis, right hip osteoarthritis and iliopsoas tendinitis, left knee condition to include tendonitis/tendinosis, and erectile dysfunction are all granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection for a broken nose (also claimed as deviated septum) is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.