Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions in the August 2021 VA examination and opinion. The claims will be reviewed again with a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a hernia condition and residuals of a left leg amputation (also claimed as a left knee condition) due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by limitation of extension and flexion, as well as instability, is currently rated at 20 percent. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee condition and a right hand condition, finding that the current disabilities are not related to active military service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the criteria provided.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to February 17, 2023, and remanded the claims for bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis, left knee limitation of extension, and bilateral shin splints.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection and increased rating in excess of 30 percent for various conditions, including tinnitus, left knee condition, left hip condition, right shoulder condition, syncopal episode, and right knee condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, but has remanded the claims of service connection for elbow pain in both upper extremities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, and left knee disabilities due to a duty to assist error in failing to obtain relevant private treatment records and an inadequate VA examiner's opinion. The Veteran is also asked to provide any additional records related to his treatment during periods of active duty.

The Board has denied service connection for athletes' foot due to the lack of a current diagnosis during the appeal period.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neck disability, lower back disability (secondary to left knee disability), and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety) as there are pre-decisional duty to assist errors requiring further development.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities. The left knee instability rating is restored from 30% to 10%. Increased disability ratings are granted for right knee limitation of flexion and extension, but not for a compensable scar.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for the claimed hip and knee disabilities, and thus service connection cannot be granted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for ED, left knee disability, low back disability, and right ankle disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to injuries sustained during his military service. Service connection was denied for a right ankle disability.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various disabilities due to improper procedural steps.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.,The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, headache disorder (secondary to TBI), and vertigo have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Veteran's overall disability evaluation for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities is denied as the combined rating does not exceed 60% after conversion.

The Veteran's claims for a rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for ankylosis of the left knee and a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits claim is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the impact of his additional and increased service-connected disabilities on his employment capabilities. The case will be readjudicated after a new evaluation with a VRC.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to duty-to-assist errors and for additional examinations.