Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including IBS, left shoulder rotator cuff syndrome with subdeltoid bursitis, tinnitus, right and left knee arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the appeal period from January 19, 2016, through November 4, 2019. The Board finds that his service-connected conditions alone are sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis and excluding periods of temporary total rating.

The Board has denied service connection for various knee, neck, and hip conditions as the evidence does not support a causal relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the Appellant's character of discharge and service connection claims for various disabilities. The case will be returned to VA for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being housebound has been remanded due to issues with notification and compliance with previous Board directives.

The Board found that the withholding of VA disability compensation benefits for training days in FY 2004 and FY 2014 was proper based on concurrent pay, and denied both appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to May 9, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for joint pain, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service. The Board concluded that any joint conditions were less likely than not due to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea was granted with a 50% rating effective December 12, 2015. The earlier effective date of September 15, 2015 is based on the evidence showing use of a breathing assistance device (CPAP).

The Veteran's appeal for a rating increase in his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection of right knee and left ankle conditions, as well as their relationship to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the most recent VA examinations are inadequate and remands for further examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining any outstanding relevant records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by cartilage damage and slight instability, is now rated at 20 percent from October 10, 2016 to September 28, 2020. The rating for the left hand and lumbar disabilities remains pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 40 percent, based on limitation of extension. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of entitlement to earlier effective dates for increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities and to schedule a VA examination. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right hip, left hip, and left knee disabilities as they have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability, GERD, acquired mental health condition (excluding PTSD), and bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis have been granted service connection. The Veteran's hernia, left side, groin muscle disability, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, left ear injury, throat gland disability, and ear wart disability have not been established as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of various knee, ankle, and cervical spine disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and muscle and joint pain.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating of his right knee, right ankle, and lumbosacral strain disabilities have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.