Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the claims for service connection and rating increases. The Veteran's VA treatment records, CAPRI records, and examinations are being requested.

The Board found that prior to June 20, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right knee anterior collateral ligament tear, arthritis of the right shoulder, arthritis of the left shoulder, strain and osteoarthritis of the right hip, depressive disorder, PTSD, erectile dysfunction, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity small fiber neuropathy, and left lower extremity small fiber neuropathy are all granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's appeals for various disabilities have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing functional loss of range of motion during flare-ups and range of motion estimates due to pain in non-weight bearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorder and its relationship to service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, currently diagnosed as osteoarthritis. The decision finds that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the current condition is related to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted. The claim for a disability involving the tailbone is denied. The claims for right shoulder, left shoulder, right foot, left foot, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded.

For the period prior to January 30, 2020, a 10 percent rating for right knee disability is granted.,For the entire period on appeal (including from January 30, 2020 onwards), a higher rating than 10 percent for right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's right and left knee disorders, as well as his right and left shin splints, are granted service connection due to their onset during military service.,Service connection for tinnitus is also granted. However, there is no evidence of a chronic sinus disorder or skin disorder other than pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations in the past.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions. The issues include psychiatric, back, knee, and visual acuity disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee condition and its relationship to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to hazardous materials during service, particularly AFFF and lead paint. The claims are now pending again with instructions to prepare an Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER) and obtain further opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding private medical records and missing service treatment records. The Veteran is considered a Persian Gulf veteran, and additional opinions are needed regarding his diagnoses of right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, right knee strain, and patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for residuals of a right hand, pinky finger fracture was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or other symptoms. For TDIU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not raise a reasonable possibility of rendering him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back, cervical spine, and right knee disorders based on credible testimony of in-service injuries during active duty.

The Veteran is granted TDIU from March 6, 2017 to March 19, 2021 due to service-connected disabilities. He is also granted SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for post-polio syndrome left lower extremity by way of aggravation and secondary service connection for post-polio syndrome right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, specifically addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that his service-connected pes planus aggravated his bilateral knee disability.