Knee decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for low back, left and right elbow, left and right knee disabilities, as well as insomnia and OSA. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the medical evidence presented.,Service treatment records did not show any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions. Post-service medical records indicated that the Veteran was diagnosed with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral elbow (and tricep tendonitis), and knee strain.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete medical records and insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to June 3, 2019, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

Service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to back impairment is granted.,An initial rating of 30 percent, but no greater, for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the right below knee amputation due to a finding that it was not caused or aggravated by VA care, and no fault on VA's part.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for left ankle, right knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities need to be remanded due to a lack of certain medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, headaches, PTSD, OSA with asthma, patellar tendinitis, left ankle strain, and tinnitus. The AOJ is instructed to review all relevant evidence and issue a SSOC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that his current condition is not related to active service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by painful motion and arthritis, was found to warrant a 10 percent rating. The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent from January 28, 2016 is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, Meniere's disease, diabetes, tendonitis of the right wrist, mild osteoarthritis of the left knee, and mild osteoarthritis of the right knee, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to November 6, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the remaining issues. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical evidence, including treatment records from private providers, and to schedule examinations for the appellant's right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathies of the feet, left elbow disability, and TDIU.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right knee condition and granted it. The appeal is dismissed for the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's back disability, rhinitis, and other conditions. The VA will attempt to obtain relevant private treatment records from WHC and Dr. S., as well as any outstanding VA treatment records. A new VA examination will be scheduled for these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for her left knee disability are being remanded due to procedural issues. The claim for a bilateral ankle disability is also pending, requiring the issuance of an SOC.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 30 percent since July 1, 2016 and increased to 60 percent from September 27, 2019. The extension of a temporary total rating for the left knee surgery beyond June 30, 2016 is denied.,The Veteran's heart condition has been rated at 30 percent since July 1, 2016 and there is no evidence to warrant an increase in this rating.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines, and he is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including scheduling him for VA examinations to address his service connection and rating issues.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to April 19, 2016 for the grants of service connection for right and left shoulder strains and for right and left knee strains have been denied. The Board found that no claims were received prior to April 19, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral pes planus and right knee osteoarthritis (secondary to left knee degenerative arthritis) is reopened, but the Board did not make a final determination on these claims.