Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD claim has been reopened and granted.,Tinnitus was found to be related to service, with a current disability established within one year of separation from active duty.,Right hip strain and right knee degenerative joint disease were determined to be caused by pre-existing conditions (left knee chondromalacia patella and torn meniscus, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right ankle degenerative joint disease with tendonitis).,Hemorrhoids and jaw disorder claims are remanded for further evaluation.,Sinus disorder claim is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for residuals of a left ankle fracture and service connection for a left knee disability, to include as secondary to residuals of a left ankle fracture, are remanded due to incomplete development. The effective date issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder was denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's left eye disorder.

The Veteran's ocular histoplasmosis of both eyes is granted as service-connected. The claim for initial higher ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis status-post arthroscopic surgery with residual scars remains on appeal.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability and has remanded issues related to service connection for low back, left hip, and left ankle disorders.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disorder and remanded all issues related to bilateral hip, right knee, and skin disorders. The Veteran's claims are pending further development including VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee disability, prostate cancer, and respiratory disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examination reports and missing medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity and requests additional examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issues. The Board also noted that new VA examinations are needed for some of the disabilities on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increase in SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected conditions do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his TDIU, as the claim was not perfected due to failure to submit a VA Form 9 within the required timeframe. The effective date remains July 17, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim effective June 10, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence added since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran was asked to waive consideration of this additional evidence by the AOJ, and he did so. The claim for service connection for a left knee disability is now being reviewed again.

The Board denied the claims for service connection of left knee, right knee, and back disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for scars of the right knee and left thigh, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and recurring ear infections. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The claim for left knee disorder is reopened, but further evidence is needed to establish a link between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraines, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a right ankle disability, all secondary to service-connected bilateral heel calcaneal stress fractures. The VA is instructed to provide an advisory medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.