Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral knee osteoarthritis, bilateral degenerative meniscus, and left knee parameniscal cyst are related to his in-service symptoms. The decision is based on continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not constitute a disability for VA purposes at any time during the appeal period and therefore denied her claim. The issues of service connection for left knee condition and right knee condition are remanded due to incomplete records and need for an adequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional service treatment records due to incomplete information.

The Board has granted service connection for right chronic knee strain, but denied service connection for left knee disability.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service-connected due to in-service exposure to jet fuel. The left and right knee disabilities, and GERD are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee condition is related to his active duty service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for hypertension has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus service connection is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (mood disorder) is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of such a condition during or proximate to the pendency of the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on appeal are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and denied service connection for bilateral pes planus. The right knee disability is attributed to an in-service injury, while the bilateral pes planus is not considered related to active duty.

The Veteran's service connection for right knee strain is granted, and his left knee condition is rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the Veteran's right knee strain was related to his military service, while his left knee condition had a limitation of flexion measured to 62 degrees.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no worse than Level I in both ears.,For the period prior to January 14, 2020, the right knee disability was evaluated at a noncompensable rating. Beginning January 14, 2020, it has been rated at 60 percent for chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness.,The left knee strain disability is currently rated as noncompensable.,Right knee instability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to January 14, 2020. Left knee instability is granted at a separate 10 percent evaluation.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded. Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is also remanded. The issue of TDIU has been included in the appeal.

The Veteran's claims to establish service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for right knee disabilities, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and a right knee strain. The issue of instability of the left knee is remanded for further adjudication.,The Veteran's appeal to establish service connection for left knee instability is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the receipt of new and relevant evidence. The issues include respiratory condition, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of OSA and depressive disorder, as well as service connection for a right knee strain, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected non-allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's right knee injury and limitation of flexion are dismissed due to a previous grant of service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including pes planus, bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, left shoulder disability, right hand scar, and bilateral hearing loss. The combined rating of these conditions exceeds the schedular requirement for a TDIU.

The Veteran's back brace caused wear and tear to his shirts, leading to the grant of a clothing allowance for 2019.,Both of the Veteran's knee braces (right and left) caused wear and tear to his pants, resulting in the grant of two additional clothing allowances for 2019.

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected right knee disabilities, specifically from February 21, 2016. The decision now requires referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee disability due to issues with compliance and substantial compliance, as well as failure to address relevant evidence of functional loss. The case is also being remanded for additional development including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining employment information from the Veteran's employers and reviewing his Community Care Program records. The case will be readjudicated after any further development.