Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions were dismissed as the claims were not timely filed.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the decision and requires additional medical opinions to address inconsistencies in the record regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions, including whether they were present during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service sexual assault, and service connection for this condition has been granted. The appeal for a right knee disability was withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and thoracolumbar scoliosis with compression fractures were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to higher disability ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of their psychiatric disability, back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his right and left knee disabilities has been denied. Separate initial ratings of 10 percent have been granted for each knee from January 14, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for nonservice-connected pension benefits prior to November 17, 2009 and from November 1, 2016 to July 14, 2017 as his VA compensation benefits were found to be the greater benefit.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no persuasive evidence showing he needed regular aid and assistance from another person or was housebound as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection for left knee chondromalacia resulting in osteoarthritis, sinusitis, anosmia, and eczema has been granted with effective dates of July 31, 2015.,An earlier effective date than March 23, 2017 is granted for the reduction in rating for hypothyroidism.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for right shoulder disability and left knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions provided in March 2021. The Veteran's current disabilities are being evaluated again with additional evidence and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates for her right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, as well as related issues. Additional development is needed to obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee strain have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all remaining issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for SOB, headaches disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and left ankle and left knee disorders due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as her claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and anal fistulotomy, both rated at 100%.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, including during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for left leg muscle injury, including left thigh muscle strain, left knee strain, and left knee meniscal tear. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to inadequate examination opinions. Additional evidence is needed, including VA Employee Health records and private treatment records from Arkansas Pain Center.