Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability of the ankles or feet, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The issues regarding right foot disorder, left foot disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and an inaccurate date in the service records. The Veteran's left knee disability is being reviewed again for a possible connection to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied because he failed to appear at scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including service connection for various disabilities and an initial rating for lumbar back pain.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, hemorrhoids (including anal fissures), lumbar spine DJD and DDD, and left lower extremity neuralgia. The decision found that the pre-existing left knee disability did not increase in severity beyond its natural progression during active service, and there was no evidence of hemorrhoids or anal fissures during service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines and chronic strains of both knees prevent her from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's left knee instability prior to February 7, 2021 was rated at 20 percent due to moderate instability. The Board found the evidence more nearly approximated the criteria for moderate instability and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's asthma is granted on a presumptive basis due to service in the Gulf War. The right knee and plantar fasciitis claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteopenia and remanded the pension benefits claim.

The Veteran's left and right knee osteoarthritis are granted with higher ratings, but his back condition claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DJD of the shoulders and knees, DDD of the lumbar spine, and bilateral radiculopathy, have rendered her incapable of providing basic care for herself. The Board has determined that she requires regular aid and attendance due to her physical and mental incapacities.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain, cervical strain, right hip status post arthroplasty, left hip status post arthroplasty, right foot arthritis, hammertoes, flat foot, tailor's bunion, metatarsalgia, and neurological disturbances, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The relationship to service is found in favor of the Veteran.

The appeal as to entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is dismissed.,Service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood prior to February 5, 2023, is granted. The Veteran's current psychiatric disability is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.,Service connection for gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) is granted. The Veteran's GERD had its onset during service.,An initial 20 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted. The Veteran's symptoms most closely approximate mild incomplete paralysis of the upper radicular group.,An initial 10 percent rating for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted. The Veteran's symptoms most closely approximate mild incomplete paralysis of the upper radicular group.,A separate 20 percent rating for right knee instability is granted. The Veteran has experienced symptoms most nearly approximating moderate right knee instability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD with anxiety and depression, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with muscle spasms, cervical spine, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and left lower extremity varicose veins are all granted. The service connection is determined to be direct.

The Veteran's heart disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, and allergy disability are not service-connected. However, hypertension is granted as a result of presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant reconsideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee degenerative joint disease due to insufficient evidence in the record, including lack of recent VA examinations and private medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners. The issues include right hand, right wrist, back, left knee conditions and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right wrist, bilateral knee, and right ankle conditions due to insufficient examination findings. The initial compensable rating claim for left inguinal hernia scar remains denied.