Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a right below the knee amputation and any other right knee disorder, finding that there was no in-service injury or disease related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed right knee disorder and left knee disorder, as there was a duty-to-assist error in the previous decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of left knee condition, right knee condition, and right shoulder condition due to a lack of VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have any right and left hand, wrist, shoulder, knee, hip, neck, or back disorders during service. The post-service medical records do not show a continuity of symptoms for these conditions until at least 21 years after service ended. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The current rating decision does not address this issue directly.

The Veteran's right knee strain appeal is dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal.,Service connection for pulmonary vascular disease (including pulmonary thromboembolism) is granted, with evidence suggesting it began during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities due to a lack of examination addressing flare-ups and functional loss.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent from February 21, 2019 to June 29, 2021.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, a back condition, and various arm, elbow, hand, knee, and shoulder conditions, finding that there was no persuasive evidence of current diagnoses or in-service onset related to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee condition, including pain, is related to his service-connected left knee condition. The case will be reviewed with a new opinion that considers the relationship between any right knee condition and the Veteran's service-connected left knee condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his right knee disability was dismissed because the VA Form 10182, which is required to file a substantive appeal, was not timely filed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, require frequent adjustments of prosthetic appliances, feed himself, attend to wants of nature, or protect himself from daily hazards.

The Veteran's back, left knee, heart, skin cancer, headaches, and stomach/abdominal disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion due to potential service connection based on toxic exposure.

The Veteran's claims for left knee chondromalacia, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and drug addiction), low back disorder, and arthritis of the entire body are being remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from following a substantially gainful occupation starting August 2, 2016. The Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU beginning on this date.

The Veteran's left hip limitation of extension is rated at the highest schedular level (10%). The left internal saphenous neuropathy is rated as severe incomplete paralysis, warranting a 10% rating. The left knee disability remains at 60%, which is the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee and ankle conditions, low back pain, sciatic radicular pain, TBI, headaches, and PB, are granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 70% for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, left knee condition, and low back condition, finding that all reasonable doubts should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted at a rating of 60 percent from January 1, 2017 to January 15, 2019. The TDIU claim on and after January 1, 2017, is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's conditions will be examined and evaluated again.