Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed left knee and shin splints disabilities, including cellulitis and edema.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches. The appeal to readjudicate his claim of service connection for left knee pain was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's left knee limitation of flexion is currently rated at 10 percent and her left knee limitation of extension is not compensable.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis, left hip osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, lateral collateral ligament sprain (chronic/recurrent) of the left ankle, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, and left knee strain. The Veteran's current conditions are proximately due to his service-connected right hip osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to his knees and shin splints, as well as his ankles, should be remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran will need to undergo new examinations to determine if his disabilities are related to parachute jumps during active service.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional evidence, including missing service treatment records and an inadequate medical opinion regarding a VA colonoscopy. The Veteran's right knee condition, low back problem, seizure disorder, depression (claimed as PTSD), sleep apnea, myositis, and narcolepsy are all under review.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E services due to his meeting the threshold requirements for entitlement but not having an employment handicap, as determined by a VA counseling psychologist (CP) or VRC.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee strain, including osteoarthritis and chondromalacia, has been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and left knee degenerative arthritis were granted, while her right toe hammer toes and left toe hammer toes remained denied. The decision is considered mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and duty to assist error, requiring a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right below the knee amputation, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on this need.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the appellant's claims due to their death. The appeal is not about service connection, but rather other benefits and ratings.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and requires the Veteran's right knee disorder claim to be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's right knee disability ratings were reduced, but the reductions are not proper. The Veteran is granted an increased rating for pes planus with plantar fasciitis and his service connection claims for various disabilities remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee replacement, right knee replacement, and lumbar stenosis are granted. The claims for evaluation of long thoracic nerve damage in the left shoulder and degenerative joint disease in the left acromioclavicular (AC) joint are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee osteoarthritis and major depressive disorder, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 6, 2020. The Board has granted TDIU from that date until August 30, 2021.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as proximately due to his service-connected major depressive disorder, while other issues are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to pre-decisional errors. The Veteran's left ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities need to be reassessed.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for left and right knee conditions have been denied. He is granted separate ratings for his right knee meniscal tear, right knee instability, and left knee instability.