Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition was denied in August 2015, and the Board found no new and relevant evidence to support reopening of this claim. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted based on his combined disability rating meeting the schedular criteria. Service connection for neck, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and foot conditions are all denied.

The Veteran's migraines are now rated at the highest possible level of disability, 50 percent. The appeals for PFB and allergic rhinitis with residuals of a nose fracture have been dismissed as they were withdrawn by the Veteran. The right and left knee chondromalacia issues remain pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, lung disability, back disorder, right knee instability, and right knee limitation of flexion are all granted. The lung disability is rated at 10%.

The Board denied service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability, lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (back disability), and erectile dysfunction as secondary to major depressive disorder. The Board found that the evidence does not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his active service.,Hypertension and bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Board restored service connection for the seven claimed conditions, effective from July 1, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability was not noted at his induction examination and did not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to service. Therefore, service connection is granted for this condition.

The Veteran's left and right knee strain are granted service connection. The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted an initial rating of 30 percent, but no higher. Service connection for a bilateral foot condition is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating since February 11, 2010. The right hip and right knee disabilities are each granted a 10 percent rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the reduction in disability rating for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee and the entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and initial ratings for right knee and low back disabilities were denied. The effective dates for the awards of service connection are set at August 1, 2013, for the right knee disability and August 26, 2013, for the low back disability.,For the right knee disability, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent was denied. The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling based on painful limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disability, left knee disability, lumbosacral disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and asthma due to unclear medical opinions regarding their etiology and potential aggravation by service. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings as they were not specific to individual issues in the rating decisions, and the combined evaluations have been corrected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered, and a new examination is required to determine if he requires aid and attendance or is housebound due to his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, hearing loss, tinnitus, breathing condition, left knee and leg, right knee and leg, mental condition (depression, anxiety relationship concerns, nightmares), skin condition on legs, and swelling in feet have all been denied.,There is no indication of service connection being granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's rating reduction from 20% to non-compensable for left knee instability was proper. The initial evaluation in excess of 20% and 10% for left knee instability and degenerative arthritis, respectively, is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date, March 18, 2019, has already been assigned.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and headaches are being remanded due to the lack of sufficient information in the VA examinations regarding flare-ups, pain on passive motion, and prostrating attacks.