Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's insomnia is denied as it is a symptom of his PTSD. The Board finds that the Veteran has allergic rhinitis due to exposure to burn pits during service in Iraq, granted under the PACT Act.,The Veteran's bilateral flat fleet and plantar fasciitis disorder is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's right knee disorder is denied as it is less likely than not related to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The claims of service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disorders have been readjudicated due to new and relevant evidence. The claim for service connection for a neck disorder is denied.,The claims of service connection for right hand and left hand disorders are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their relationship to service.

The Veteran's VA disability benefits are denied because his separation pay was granted for his second period of service, and he received VA benefits based on that same period. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with spondylosis L4-L5 status post spinal fusion, effective from the date of the appealed decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and a right knee disability, both related to injuries sustained during active duty for training on August 4, 1981.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as for a scar from his total knee replacements, were denied. The Veteran was granted initial 10% ratings effective July 21, 2023, for the scars.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right eye enucleation, muscle injuries, and right knee arthritis, significantly impact his ability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is in approximate balance that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a right knee disorder, finding the evidence in approximate balance as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that new evidence supports readjudicating the claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability. The decision to deny service connection for a left knee disability remains, as it was found to be due to willful misconduct.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, sleep apnea, and a separate right knee condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding whether new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudicating his claims for service connection for left knee and right knee conditions. The claims were erroneously placed in the AMA appeal system, which is not applicable due to the date of the initial decision.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shin splints, right shin splints, right knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral pes planus due to a failure to ensure an adequate examination was rendered.

The Veteran's left hip disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right hip trochanteris pain syndrome.,Right hip trochanteris pain syndrome has been granted increased ratings for limitation of extension, flexion, and abduction.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right shoulder conditions, back condition, neck condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is also denied for a bilateral hand condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to exposure to herbicides, but denied service connection for skeletal arthritis involving the bilateral shoulders, knees and back, as well as right ear hearing loss. The case is remanded for further action on the issue of erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed, and a new examination is required for the Veteran's right knee condition. The claims of increased ratings for stroke residuals and entitlement to effective dates prior to January 1, 2016, for TDIU and DEA under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and service connection for sleep apnea are remanded. The SMC claim is also remanded due to the Veteran's reported loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain. Service connection for intestinal condition (diverticulitis) is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 3, 2012 for the grant of Total Disability Rating Due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The appeal is remanded to determine if earlier effective dates are warranted.