Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a need for new medical opinions regarding the etiology of OSA, left knee disorder, and respiratory disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service injuries or events.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability is not caused by service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's left knee disorder is related to his service, specifically an in-service injury and exposure to icy conditions. The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is rated at a maximum of 60 percent as of April 1, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being necessary, including determining if the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities were incurred during a period of active service and whether they clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his period of ACDUTRA service from May 6, 1989, to May 20, 1989.

The Veteran's right knee sprain and instability have been granted separate evaluations, with the sprain receiving a 10% evaluation effective June 19, 2014, and the instability receiving a 10% evaluation effective March 16, 2015. The earlier effective date for service connection of right knee instability is set at March 16, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition, right knee condition (claimed as right leg condition), and right foot condition. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, ulcer disability, hypertension, and hip tendinitis. The decision also remanded several issues related to hip tendinitis.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and bilateral knee disability secondary to low back disability, finding that the Veteran's statements regarding her symptoms are credible and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether current migraines are related to service, and thus grants service connection on a direct basis.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability is remanded due to inconsistencies in the VA examination findings and need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is rated at 20 percent from April 10, 2013. His left knee degenerative joint disease is rated at 30 percent since October 26, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, specifically his knee and finger surgeries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his right hip, right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities due to potential aggravation by other service-connected conditions. Further evaluations are needed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates due to a failure of the RO to fully assist the Veteran with his claim, specifically regarding evidence from 2014. The RO is instructed to seek any and all records related to the Veteran's 2014 claim.

Service connection for sinusitis and left knee disability is granted. Service connection for sinusitis is granted under the PACT Act, while service connection for a left knee disability is granted based on in-service symptoms.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal by the appellant's representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for frostbite on the bilateral feet, a back condition, and left knee replacement due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability is being remanded due to a failure of the Veteran to attend a scheduled VA examination. The case will be returned for further development, including scheduling another examination and obtaining any outstanding relevant VA treatment records.