Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and right knee strain. The claims for BPPV/dizziness and left knee strain were not addressed due to the lack of medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, citing receipt of a 100% rating and believing he is properly rated.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of contemporaneous medical evidence for the Veteran's left knee surgery. The AOJ is required to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Manuel and St. David's Medical Center.

The Veteran's right knee disability was evaluated at 20 percent, effective June 19, 2002. The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for the right knee disability was void ab initio due to inadequate examination reports and restoration of a 20 percent rating is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee meniscus tear status post meniscectomy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the right total knee replacement (TKR) and dismissed the appeal regarding the proposed discontinuance of a separate 10 percent rating for right knee DJD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee scar is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the June 2020 supplemental claim HLR decision. The AOJ will need to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the current severity of the Veteran's right knee scar.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, right knee disability, left knee disability, and kidney failure have been granted. The Board found that the evidence is approximately balanced to show these conditions are etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as there was an error in the duty to assist and AOJ errors.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings and service connection, resulting in the dismissal of all appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, leading to a grant of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 0 percent, and the Board denied an initial compensable rating.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for consideration of a TDIU.

The Board has dismissed all the issues of service connection for various conditions and symptoms, including back pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, skin rash/condition, bilateral feet condition, fibromyalgia, left knee condition, right knee condition, IBS, pseudofolliculitis barbae, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus II, hypertension, and male erectile disorder. The Veteran requested the withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not rated as compensable, but service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left knee strain, and urticaria face, neck, back are granted.,Service connection is established for obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left knee strain, and urticaria face, neck, back. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence exists to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The claims for right ankle, left ankle, and left knee disabilities are also remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left knee and arthritis of the right knee, finding that new evidence received since the January 2023 rating decision is relevant to the claim. The Board denied service connection as there was no chronicity during or after service.