Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a bilateral knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's right wrist fracture is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated as 10 percent disabling from December 3, 2021, with slight lateral instability. The Board denied a higher rating for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to link any such conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no prior communication of record indicating an intent to claim these conditions.,No effective dates earlier than the assigned ones are granted due to lack of prior claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, thoracic spine disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, and migraine headaches due to incomplete development of records.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not supported by medical records, and there is no clear link between his service and these conditions.

The Board has found that a VA examination is necessary to determine the current severity and manifestations of the service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The claim for increased ratings for both knees is being remanded due to failure to provide proper notice of the requested examinations.

The Veteran's deviated septum is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.,Service connection for HTN is granted based on the PACT Act due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran has a skin condition (basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratoses, seborrheic keratoses) that may be service-connected as it was diagnosed during his period of active duty.,Service connection for mechanical low back pain is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.,Service connection for coccyx strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.,Service connection for left knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is service-connected as it occurred during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and is causally related to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a temporary total rating for his total left knee replacement due to it being a progression of his service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome with instability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, claimed as degenerative arthritis of the right knee, is not service-connected.,The Veteran's sinusitis with epistaxis (claimed as nose bleeds) does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6510.,The Veteran's environmental allergies do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes related to allergic rhinitis.,Prior to November 5, 2020, the Veteran's headaches did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. From November 5, 2020 onwards, he is granted a 30 percent disability rating for his headaches.

The Veteran's appeals for increased rating of left knee disability, service connection for IBS and a right shoulder disability, and to reopen the appeal of service connection for actinic keratosis of the right forearm have been withdrawn by his attorney.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to October 24, 2019 is being remanded due to the failure of the RO to refer his claim for extraschedular consideration as instructed in the March 2021 remand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability, as well as his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine and right knee disabilities. The remand also includes a request for additional development related to the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's hip and knee disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient consideration of his medical history and current symptoms. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, bipolar disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and coronary occlusion resulting in acute angina with respiratory problems (heart disability).,There is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition related to the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral osteoarthritis of both first carpometacarpal joints is granted, as the evidence shows current disability and in-service injury.,The Veteran's right knee condition is also granted, with pain being considered a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the right knee disability receiving a 60% rating effective February 1, 2013. The left knee disability received a 40% rating effective September 17, 2007. A TDIU was also granted from February 1, 2013.