Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right elbow, right hip, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his sleep apnea, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The decisions are based on direct evidence of in-service injury and current disability.

An increased rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's left knee condition is granted from April 5, 2019 to May 26, 2020.,The effective date for service connection of the right knee scar is set at October 12, 2017, and for the left knee scars at July 31, 2014.

Effective dates of October 26, 1978 have been granted for PTSD, TBI, cervical spine disability, right hip disabilities, and migraine headaches. Effective dates prior to February 14, 2011 have not been granted for loss of sense of smell, taste, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle conditions, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA examinations did not consider relevant evidence from 2010 to 2011, and there are outstanding treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee and left wrist disabilities, as secondary to right knee disabilities due to toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further development and examination to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, anxiety disorder, hypertension, skin disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the current nature of these conditions and their likely etiology.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals regarding the service connection and rating for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, hypertensive vascular disease, left knee non-degenerative arthritis, psychological psychogenic movement disorder, and lumbar strain. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, back condition, and left knee condition are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings of his left knee strain and a separate rating for left knee instability is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. His claims for service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are also pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her right ankle and knee conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since February 8, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds the Veteran's report of noise exposure during service consistent with his DD214, and acknowledges that he has indicated a continuity of symptomatology from service to present. However, the Board also notes that there are no service treatment records documenting any relevant complaints or diagnoses of tinnitus. The Veteran was provided an addendum opinion on remand regarding the etiology of his lumbar spine disability due to carrying heavy protective gear during service.

The Veteran's right knee postoperative scars, associated with his service-connected ACL reconstruction and partial medial meniscectomy, are rated at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee conditions and left hip disability did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 22, 2010. The Board denied his claim for Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 1, 2011.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent from February 16, 2004 to August 14, 2009 and will be increased to 20 percent from August 14, 2009 onward. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right elbow disability, Bell's palsy, and TDIU.

The Board has found the opinions provided by the VA examiner inadequate and requires further development to determine if the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were caused or aggravated during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, type 2, a back and/or cervical spine disorder, hypertension, and a right knee disorder due to various procedural issues.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a left knee disability, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disability.,A VA examination is needed to determine the likely etiology of the claimed left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee condition, which is considered a direct service connection issue.

The Veteran's appeal for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the cases regarding his right knee, left knee, lumbar strain, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.