Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 20 percent rating, and her bilateral ankle and knee disabilities are granted service connection.,However, the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's left knee disability, right knee disability, and knee instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, left knee, and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of current disability. The claim for migraine headaches is remanded for an addendum VA opinion regarding whether the condition clearly and unmistakably preexisted service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disorder and instability, finding that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between any in-service injury or illness and present symptoms.

The Veteran's TBI and other specified trauma disorder are being remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for other specified trauma disorder is also being remanded.,Service connection for ulcerative pancolitis, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic anemia, skin disability (psoriasis), sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left hip disability, and right lower extremity neuropathy are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.,The Veteran's service connection claims will be addressed based on his credible history of service in combat zones.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left knee, right knee, bilateral foot, bilateral hearing loss, left elbow, right elbow, and sleep apnea. The claims are now remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities of right and left knee, right and left foot, and thoracolumbar spine are not service-connected as they were not shown to be incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's pain during active duty service is sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders due to a lack of an examination in the record.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee condition and right shoulder condition, but has remanded the claims of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for right foot posterior calcaneal exostosis as it was already granted in full prior to the April 2023 rating decision. The claim of an initial higher rating for low back disability is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the Veteran's condition started during service and continued since then.

The Board has determined that the current examination reports of record regarding the right knee are inadequate and remanded for a new examination. The Veteran's recent right knee surgery is also noted, but outstanding medical records from his treating physician need to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for chronic fatigue syndrome was withdrawn. Service connection is granted for right knee degenerative joint disease and a psychiatric disability, however diagnosed.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease as it began during his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied due to a lack of current diagnoses.,The Veteran has withdrawn her claims for right pretibial edema, hyperlipidemia, hypokalemia, an acquired psychiatric disorder, difficulty swallowing, and left eye cornea scarring.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his bilateral pes planus, right leg length discrepancy, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee scars, or limitation of extension and flexion of the left knee.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The initial non-compensable ratings assigned for the conditions are upheld.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for left knee instability is denied. The case is remanded for a determination on the rating claim.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for LLE and RLE peripheral neuropathy, gout, and lymphedema as they are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.,There is no evidence of any in-service event, injury, or disease that would cause these conditions. The Board also found no nexus between the appellant's current disabilities and his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to his inability to perform multiple activities of daily living and a need for supervision based on symptoms or residuals of neurological impairment. The decision also requires an evaluation of whether participation in the PCAFC program would be in the best interest of the Veteran.