Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance based on the use of a right foot orthotic device was denied because there is no record of him using such an orthotic in 2020 or 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right leg disabilities and psychiatric condition, require regular aid and attendance. The Board granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board found that the combined disability rating of 40 percent from March 29, 2012, through February 21, 2021, was properly calculated. The increase in rating for the right foot disability did not result in additional compensation from March 29, 2012, through February 21, 2021, and backpay is not warranted.

The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits are granted effective October 30, 2019.,PTSD is rated at 50 percent since September 22, 2020. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings for various radiculopathy conditions and a left knee scar, as these decisions were not initial decisions under the AMA.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of a left leg injury and a left knee disability have been dismissed. The appeal for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee, left knee and low back disabilities have been granted service connection. Residuals of neck surgery, osteoarthritis (multiple sites), psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis are still under review.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, no continuity of symptoms post-service, and insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including muscle and joint pain, essential tremor, right knee disability, asthma, low back disability, and left ear hearing loss are all granted. However, the effective dates for some of these grants have not been determined yet.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for bilateral knee disability has been granted. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine disability, left hand disability, and sleep disability (including sleep apnea) due to lack of medical evidence on these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disability and for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities due to insufficient development of the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and left knee disability are all granted. The rating of the left knee disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle conditions due to a lack of VA examinations and missing service treatment records. The Veteran's lay testimony will be considered in determining whether his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate statements of reasons or bases, and insufficient VA examinations. A new examination is needed to determine if the left knee disability was caused by service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of chronic cough was withdrawn. Service connection is granted for hypertension, but denied for right and left elbow conditions as well as a left knee condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his left knee scars, finding that they did not meet the criteria for any of the applicable diagnostic codes and that there was no evidence of underlying soft tissue damage or other disabling effects.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of right knee disability, and the Board dismissed the issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2013. However, he was marginally employed from September 9, 2008 to December 31, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his active service or service-connected hepatitis C.