Knee decisions — 2019

PTSD and MDD are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Veteran seeks a higher rating.,Obstructive sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, with no evidence of respiratory failure or tracheostomy.

The Veteran's claims for left hip, heart, bilateral ankle, stomach, and osteoarthritis disorders are denied as there is no current disability found in the record.,Service connection was not established for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met, as the effective date assigned was the day following discharge from service. For other issues, no higher rating could be assigned based on current evidence.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. However, he does not qualify for housebound benefits as his single service-connected disability rated at 100% does not meet the requirement of additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60%.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and OSA are granted service connection, but his bilateral knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected right knee and hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to provide a complete record upon which to decide the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the left knee, finding that it is related to injuries sustained during active duty service.

The appeal for service connection of a left knee disability has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a right knee condition is granted. The Board has also remanded the case due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any right knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for flat feet, left knee injury, right knee injury, and left ear hearing loss. The claim for a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current right and/or left knee disability, including considering the Veteran's reported injury during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, bilateral hip, pelvis, and right knee injuries due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection for myasthenia gravis, cardiac disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and skin cancer is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus disability, sleep apnea syndrome, and hypertension. All conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities caused his clothing to wear out or tear due to the use of exposed metal braces. The Board granted an annual clothing allowance for 2015 based on this finding.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for the Veteran's right knee disability and instability, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to warrant a higher rating due to functional limitations during flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for right knee disorder and left foot disorder.