Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for right hand overuse injury, left hand overuse injury, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's service treatment records show complaints of bilateral hand and knee pain during his period of active service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee residuals, s/p semilunar cartilage removal due to ACL tear. The claim for a 30 percent rating for a right shoulder disability was granted.

The Board has determined that the VA decision of February 2020 is not final and remands the cases for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis and knee instability is dismissed.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, meniscal tear, and chondromalacia patella, finding that the Veteran's claim was not entitled to such a retroactive effective date due to lack of new and material evidence submitted within one year of the February 2015 rating decision.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including the revision surgery and subsequent convalescence period, is granted with a temporary total rating from February 22, 2019 to March 22, 2019. From March 23, 2020, he receives a 60 percent increased disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent respiratory disability (asthma) and recurrent right knee disability (osteoarthritis) are being remanded due to the need for additional verification of his military service records.

The Veteran's left hand strain, right knee strain, and left knee strain have been granted initial 10% ratings effective November 19, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development, including earlier effective dates and increased ratings for various conditions.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence submitted when the claim is readjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right hand strain, as well as left and right knee disabilities. The decision is based on the Veteran's military occupational specialty tasks that led to his current conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, hypertension, neck disability, right hand arthritis of fingers, left hand arthritis of fingers, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right ankle arthritis, left ankle arthritis, and left foot arthritis of toes. The Board also remanded the issues regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis.,The Board has denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and incontinence. The Board has also denied service connection for a bilateral eye disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection involving his bilateral ankles, wrists, shoulders, elbows, and knees are being remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered with the inclusion of new evidence or clarification from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and wrist disabilities were initially granted service connection with noncompensable ratings effective April 29, 2016. The Board has granted earlier effective dates of April 29, 2016 for the 10 percent ratings assigned for each disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including epilepsy, prostate cancer, and lumbar DDD, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance from his spouse. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for left knee joint osteoarthritis effective from January 31, 2020. The Veteran's appeal was to establish an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the VA examination opinions are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's knee conditions pre-existed service or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on the claims. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is denied, but he is granted a TDIU.,The Board finds that the Veteran's level of psychiatric impairment does not demonstrate total occupational and social impairment corresponding to a 100 percent rating. Therefore, the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder have not been met or approximated.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding a higher rating for his left knee disability, so the case is dismissed.