Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee strain, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking his current condition to active service.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims for fibrocystic breast disease, ovary abnormalities, brain cyst with hydrocephalus, headaches, eye disorder and/or blurry vision, dizziness, and painful scars secondary to fibrocystic breast disease due to potential RF radiation exposure during active duty. Additional evidence is needed, including genetic testing records and treatment records from the Veteran's Reserve service.

The Veteran's claim for educational assistance at the maximum rate of 100% under Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) was granted because she had a minimum of 30 continuous days of active service and was discharged due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's right ankle condition and associated scar due to lack of discussion on flare-ups.,A new VA examination is also required for her back, right wrist, right knee, and left-hand scar conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for systemic skin rashes and chronic, systemic joint pain to multiple joints as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Crohn's disease and tinea pedis.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder strain and impingement syndrome as these conditions are at least as likely as not having had their onset during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee arthritis, finding a continuity of symptomatology since service that links the current conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an in-person examination and medical opinion regarding her lumbar spine disability and left knee disability. The issues of a higher rating for the lumbar spine condition and service connection for the left knee disability are both being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to pending appeals in the AMA system that need to be resolved before adjudication can proceed.

Service connection is denied for hypertension, basal cell carcinoma, neck disability, right hand disability, left hand disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. Service connection is granted for tension headaches and lower lip numbness associated with the service-connected chin scar.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee and left wrist conditions due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's testimony regarding his service experiences is considered.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of flexion of the left knee is denied. Effective November 20, 2023, a separate 10 percent disability rating for instability of the left knee is granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including ACL repair, instability, and dislocated semilunar cartilage, is rated at a 30 percent effective from February 27, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for an additional examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for entitlement to increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his left knee disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to June 24, 2009 for the 10 percent rating evaluation of limitation of flexion was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for limitation of extension was also denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, left knee disorder (to include as secondary to claimed right knee disorder), bilateral foot condition (claimed as fallen arches), left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, bilateral lower extremity dry skin disorder, and sleep apnea.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disorder due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disorder (to include as secondary to claimed right knee disorder) due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral foot condition (claimed as fallen arches), left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, and sleep apnea due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disorder due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right elbow disorder, bilateral lower extremity dry skin disorder, and sleep apnea due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral lower extremity dry skin disorder due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination and failure to consider weight-bearing range of motion. The Veteran is also being asked to provide a new VA examination that assesses his right knee instability.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left knee limitation of motion, extension, and flexion due to a lack of range of motion studies in the record. The Veteran is required to provide new VA examinations to address these concerns.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 50% evaluation since July 5, 2023. Prior to that date, the Veteran was granted a 50% evaluation.,Since November 1, 2021, the Veteran has been granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection claims have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and addendum opinions.