Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disability, as secondary to his service-connected polycystic kidney disease, was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of a liver disability at any time during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of migraines, rhinitis, left leg calf muscle disability, increased rating for left shoulder disability, and earlier effective dates were dismissed. The Veteran was granted service connection for genital warts with penile pain, left ankle sprain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to incomplete development, including a missed VA examination. The case is returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, headache disability, and right knee disability have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a TBI during service or any chronic residuals related to an in-service injury. There is also no causal link between the current headaches and the motor vehicle accident in service. Regarding the right knee disability, there was no indication of a pre-existing condition that began during service or within one year after separation from service.,The Board concluded that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC were dismissed as they did not meet the procedural requirements under the modernized review system (AMA).

The Board has extended the temporary 100% rating for the total left knee replacement to March 16, 2022 based on the prior version of DC 5055 which is more favorable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The specific conditions at issue are an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, left hand disability, and liver disorder (claimed as liver transplant).

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylolysis is found to be the primary cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, and he is granted service connection for OSA as secondary to this condition. The effective date remains April 28, 2000.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, hiatal hernia, migraines and migraine variants, right knee chondromalacia and medial meniscus tear, and rheumatoid arthritis (presumed due to Agent Orange exposure), prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, traumatic brain injury, low back condition, right knee and hand conditions, and neck condition since February 28, 2008, have rendered him unemployable from December 18, 2007 to July 23, 2008. His basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was granted on the same dates.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and left ankle strain are found to have caused his right knee arthritis.,VA is remanding the claims for service connection for a left foot disability, PTSD, and headaches.

The Veteran is granted a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage in the right knee, but denied a higher rating for their overall right knee disability.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various ankle and knee conditions, as well as a shoulder strain post rotator cuff tear and lumbosacral strain. The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal in October 2023.

The Board has found that the VA examiner's opinion on whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability is inadequate. Therefore, the case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion addressing this issue.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than February 28, 2023 for the grant of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran contends he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions and submitted a private psychological assessment indicating he would be precluded from gainful employment without excessive accommodations.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including right hand, left hand, right knee, left knee, right hip, left hip, bilateral eye disorder (including cataracts), erectile dysfunction, vitamin deficiency, low blood pressure and sleep apnea. The claims are remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for VR&E services as he has successfully maintained self-employment and does not have an employment handicap.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for popping, locking, and effusion. He also has a 10 percent rating for instability. The other issues are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claims for other musculoskeletal disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy alone rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC based on housebound status due to multiple separate disabilities rated at 60 percent or more.