Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a groin condition, right knee condition, and eye condition have been denied as there is no probative evidence showing a nexus between the current conditions and military service.,While the Veteran provided lay testimony of in-service injuries, the Board found that he did not provide competent medical evidence to support his claims.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's left knee conditions but denied a higher rating for extension limitations. The Veteran now receives separate disability ratings for each condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining and considering certain records, including SSA disability claim records and in-service hospital records. The Veteran is also required to undergo additional VA examinations to address his claims.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include posttraumatic stress disorder, right knee limitations, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and other conditions. The evidence shows that the Veteran requires significant assistance with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, grooming, and attending to hygiene needs.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been secured with respect to the claim of cervical spine condition (claimed as neck pain), and therefore, reconsideration is warranted. The Veteran's bilateral degenerative arthritis of the knees was aggravated beyond its natural progression due to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis, right knee chondromalacia, degenerative arthritis, and disruption of medial collateral ligament. The claim for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving a 100% evaluation for his acquired psychiatric condition, and the additional service-connected knee disability does not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of his pending claims and appeals, including those related to bronchitis, dermatitis, tremors, chronic fatigue syndrome, right knee strain, low back strain, multiple scars on the left side of body, sinusitis with headaches, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for additional retroactive VA disability compensation benefits under the Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payment (CRDP) program is remanded due to insufficient information from the retired pay center and DFAS records. The AOJ must provide a detailed review of the Veteran's compensation award, specifically for the period prior to April 1, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, LLE radiculopathy, and RLE radiculopathy as new and relevant evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for right knee degenerative arthritis is dismissed as it is a freestanding claim not subject to review in the context of this appeal.,The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis is remanded due to need for clarification on whether the condition involves the meniscus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee instability and arthritis, as well as a separate rating for his left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected bipolar disorder and tinnitus.,The claim for left knee strain was reopened, and the Veteran's current condition is now considered secondary to his right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as there is not enough evidence to show that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for right hand and left hand nerve damage have been dismissed as service connection was granted. The appeal regarding PTSD, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee disorder, right-hand disorder, left-hand disorder, right-ankle disorder, and intestinal disorder (to include chronic diarrhea) is remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied. Claims for increased ratings of various hip and knee disorders, as well as left leg shin splints, were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss under Chapter 17 of title 38 U.S.C. and remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression) and a bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial disability ratings for left knee disability and TBI were denied. The Board found that the symptomatology did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee condition and its relationship to service-connected conditions. A new VA examination is required.