Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating, effective from October 11, 2022. Other conditions have also received increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding nonweight-bearing range of motion testing and additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot, left foot, right knee, and left knee disabilities diagnosed as arthritis, finding that the Veteran's complaints of pain during and since his period of service are credible and at least in equipoise with the negative medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected arthritic conditions have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and such impairment is permanent in nature.,An award of eligibility for SAH precludes a separate SHA grant due to the loss of use of both feet.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee osteoarthritis (associated with left knee impairment), and rheumatoid arthritis. The appeal is remanded to obtain updated evidence regarding the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition and increased rating for gouty arthritis of both feet are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ must obtain addendum opinions addressing the relationship between his knee disability and gout, as well as evaluate the severity of his gout under the amended criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The right knee strain, left knee strain, and right ankle strain are all granted with a rating of 30 percent each. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has identified a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the February 2019 rating decision and has remanded both issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating for left knee osteoarthritis and patellar chondromalacia, and entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating based on these conditions.

The claims for service connection of various conditions are being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice and assistance prior to the April 2020 rating decision.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, vertigo, and skin disability due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a lumbar spine disability remains pending as remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of bilateral pes planus. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment due to his back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee conditions. The decision grants a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has denied an initial rating greater than 20 percent for right shoulder strain and has remanded the issues of service connection for knee disorders, OSA, diabetes, and a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee, hip, and foot conditions as secondary to her service-connected back condition due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple claims for increased ratings related to his service-connected psychiatric and orthopedic conditions. The Board has determined that these claims require additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence obtained from the Department of Defense and deficiencies in previous medical opinions. The case is now pending further examination and reconsideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be scheduled for examinations to determine whether he has current disabilities related to his in-service injuries and exposures, as well as a new examination to assess the functional impairment resulting from his service-connected allergic rhinitis and dermatophytosis. The appeals are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral knee condition, a bilateral shoulder condition, and a sleep disorder. The remaining issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, respiratory issues, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and lower back condition are remanded as there may be outstanding treatment records relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded due to the possibility of existing but unassociated medical evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet is remanded because no VA examination has been conducted yet.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, secondary to PTSD, is remanded as there may be outstanding treatment records relevant to this claim.