Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right knee disorder and service. The claim will be reconsidered with a new medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in the initial decision and a need for further review by the RO.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, right knee disability, and left ankle disability.

The Board has denied service connection for limited knee flexion, diabetes, and migraines. The issue of service connection for atrial septal aneurysm and cardiomegaly (claimed as left ventricular hypertrophy) is remanded due to the absence of a VA examination or opinion addressing the Veteran's contentions about in-service exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to November 15, 2023, for a 10 percent disability rating for limitation of left knee extension. The evidence did not show range of motion findings that met the criteria for a higher rating until the November 2023 examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and surgical scar of the left knee due to potential duty-to-assist errors, inadequate opinions, and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee tendonitis and chondrosis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms had onset in service and continuing until his diagnosis. The decision is based on credible lay evidence and a negative medical opinion of little probative value.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the appellant or their representative withdrew all pending claims.

The Veteran was granted a clothing allowance for the calendar year 2019 due to his service-connected left knee disability causing wear and tear on his clothing. The decision is based on the Veteran's testimony regarding the effects of his electric wheelchair.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the appellant's service connection claims due to a duty to assist error. The claims for bilateral flatfeet/fallen arches, chronic rhinitis/sinusitis, unspecified anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right knee scar are all being reconsidered.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and a higher disability rating for chronic scalp folliculitis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations as needed.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of a left knee condition due to new and relevant evidence being submitted. The Veteran's current left knee condition may be related to his service or another service-connected disability, but further examination is needed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right knee instability, and left knee degenerative joint disease are all rated at their maximum levels. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability are granted service connection. The Veteran's scar of the left anterior knee is denied as not aggravated by service. Service connection for left knee disability is denied. Unexplained body aches claim is remanded.

The Veteran's left knee limitation of flexion is rated at 10 percent, effective from November 13, 2020. A separate rating of 10 percent for left knee instability is granted as well.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding intermediate secondary service connection for Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician addressing these issues.

The Veteran's back condition, left knee conditions, and right knee conditions are being remanded for further development as the VA opinions did not adequately address his lay statements regarding the chronicity of his symptoms and the relationship between his service-connected bilateral flat foot disability and his current conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for right knee chondromalacia medial femoral condyle with acute bursitis, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are denied.,The Board found that the supplemental claim received by VA on January 5, 2024 constitutes the date of claim for these conditions. The effective dates cannot be earlier than this date due to the final nature of previous decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused permanent loss of use in his hands and feet, as well as ankylosis in both knees. As a result, he is eligible for an automobile allowance.