Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.,The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was previously denied, but reopened due to new and material evidence. The issue remains on appeal.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, status post left knee injury with mild arthritis, otitis media, and hearing loss are all remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is remanded as new evidence has been received. The issue remains on appeal.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with other issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new evidence supports reopening of these claims. The mental health disorder claim is granted as it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a back disorder, which requires further examination.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain is currently evaluated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher evaluation due to limited forward flexion of less than 30 degrees.,The Veteran's right knee strain is currently evaluated at 10 percent, and there is no evidence supporting an increase in this rating.

The Veteran's right thumb strain, lumbar spine IVDS with degenerative joint disease, and left knee strain are all found to be related to his military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder (persistent depressive disorder and other specified anxiety disorder) and TBI claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 23, 2013, is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board finds sufficient evidence to substantiate the possibility of unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted on a secondary basis due to his service-connected back disability. The Board finds that the evidence supports the conclusion that the Veteran's hypertension is caused by his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, headaches, hypertension, sleep apnea, and psychiatric disorders, were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, traumatic brain injury (TBI), bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis (claimed foot condition), left ankle nerve damage as due to bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, right ankle nerve damage as due to bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and left knee nerve damage as due to bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee strain, left knee strain, and lumbosacral sprain/strain are all found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been granted a rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The claim for bilateral knee muscle joint pain has been remanded due to the lack of an adequate nexus opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for paralysis of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, right and left knee disabilities, and tinnitus.,The claims for acquired psychiatric disabilities (generalized anxiety disorder/PTSD and major depressive disorder) are also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a genitourinary disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder, is related to service. The cervical spine, hip, knee, vertigo, and hypertension disabilities are also remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeals for further development due to incomplete examinations and inconsistencies in the medical evidence. The appeals include claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, as well as a claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, IBS, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The VA will schedule examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate for rating purposes and has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including right knee and bilateral hip disabilities, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for left wrist disability is reopened but denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since August 9, 2017.

The appeal for service connection for hypertension is dismissed as the claim has been fully granted. The appeals for service connection for glaucoma and left knee condition are remanded.