Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance for 2016 and/or 2017 due to bilateral knee braces prescribed for his service-connected conditions was denied because the evidence did not show that the braces caused wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a finger condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, render him unable to maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is found to be related to his service, and he is granted a 30% rating for this condition.,His left knee meniscal tear, right hip arthritis, and left hip arthritis are all found to be aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities, and he is granted a 30% rating for each of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected bilateral knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 31, 2006.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD and right knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee instability claim was granted, but the Veteran did not have a history of heat injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hip, knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.,His cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disabilities preclude him from performing the physical activities of his past work.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected left knee disabilities, including residuals and limitation of extension. The Veteran must cooperate with this process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate examinations. The claims include knee injuries, sciatic nerve disorders, and a left Achilles tendon disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding flare-ups and knee instability. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of right knee disability is pending.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a VA examination to assess the Veteran's left knee disability post-surgery and another VA examination to determine the severity of his thoracolumbar spine disability. The hearing loss claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. The Board found no evidence of chronic disabilities in service or within one year after separation that could be presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange or other environmental factors. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of continuity of symptoms from service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The right knee and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.