Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee instability is restored to a 10 percent rating from April 28, 2017 to March 5, 2021. Service connection for atrophic vulvovaginitis and degenerative disc disease and arthritis lumbar spine are granted as secondary to service-connected left knee.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for her lumbar para spinal muscle spasms (spinal condition) is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left knee limitation of extension is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for symptomatic patellar tendonitis of the left knee with degenerative arthritis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities were remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral knee disabilities and hypertension due to insufficient evidence in the record, specifically missing medical records from within 6-9 months after service separation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right hip and left knee, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year after separation from service. The Board also found that the current disabilities are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with major depressive-like episodes is found to be the cause of her obstructive sleep apnea. The right knee condition remains under review for a rating increase.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right foot, left foot, right knee, and left knee disorders have been denied as there is no evidence to support a nexus between the current conditions and service.

The Board has decided that the severance of service connection for right knee, left knee, and left knee scar disabilities was not proper. Service connection is restored for these conditions. The claims for service connection for a back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

An effective date prior to March 9, 2018, for the grant of service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis is denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis is denied.

The Veteran's back brace, bilateral knee braces caused wear and tear to his clothing in 2014. The Board granted annual clothing allowances for the use of a right knee brace, left knee brace, and back brace.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as right and left knee disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or are related to his active service.

The Veteran's right knee disability claim is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a full readjudication.

The Veteran's claims for right shoulder, wrist, and knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the submission of outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension (HTN) has been granted. Service connection is also granted for GERD, but only under the PACT Act.,Service connection for HTN and related conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence on the etiology.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right knee, and kidney disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Specifically, the Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown to have been present during his active duty service or within one year post-service.

The Veteran's VA compensation benefits were improperly terminated from September 16, 2016 to January 8, 2018 due to fugitive felon status. The reduction of his benefits from January 9, 2018 to June 9, 2018 was also improper due to incarceration.

The Board has dismissed the appeals to sever service connection for knee strain, left and right knees as the AOJ has not yet issued a final decision.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error, requiring further development and examination for service connection of left ankle and left knee disabilities.