Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's Reiter's syndrome, including its associated conditions such as iritis, prostatitis, degenerative joint disease of the feet and hands, and IBS, is rated at 100% for the initial rating period from January 1, 2009 to September 27, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disorder, headaches, and right knee condition due to exposure to Gulf War hazards. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and bilateral foot rash are being reviewed.

The Board denied service connection for an allergic rash disability, a left knee disability (no cartilage), and a back disability, to include a herniated disc. The Veteran's claim for a left foot disability was remanded.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of current evidence of a disability proximate to the claim or during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not service-connected as they did not manifest within one year of discharge from active duty, and there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The left knee disability was also not service-connected due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury or disease.,There is insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, as the previous examination did not comply with VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased SMC rates are denied. The Board found that the criteria for these benefits were not met due to lack of legal basis or evidence.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected conditions, as well as to determine if there is a relationship between his current disabilities and active service. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee condition, and remanded the issues related to gout, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the ankles, feet, right hand, and right wrist. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an initial rating higher than 30 percent for his left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to service or any other service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for COPD, bilateral knee disability, and prostate cancer. The claim of service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The Board denied service connection for bronchitis, asthma/emphysema, and allergic rhinitis as the Veteran's conditions preexisted his military service in 1990-1991. The Board also denied service connection for bilateral foot disabilities and right and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence showing their onset during or related to service.

The Board has revised the combined disability rating from 60% to 50% for the period from January 1, 2012 to February 29, 2016 due to legal error in the original decision.

The Board has remanded the cases due to non-compliance with previous remand directives regarding the bilateral knee and TDIU issues. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the knees are being reviewed for proper disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's hidradenitis suppurativa and left knee surgical scar have not been evaluated for compensation purposes due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability were denied. The conditions, including degenerative joint disease and instability, were not rated higher than the current assigned percentages.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA opinions and requests for new examinations that address the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and a need for further development, including a VA examination for service connection claims.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.