Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include low back, left wrist, left knee, right hip, and left hip conditions.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for right ear hearing loss is denied.,The effective date prior to November 18, 2015, for service connection for left knee strain with patellofemoral arthritis and chondromalacia patella is denied.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and thoracic cord injury at T11 to T12 with radiculopathy is granted.,Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle is granted.,Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right ankle is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee disability have been dismissed as he has withdrawn the appeal.

The Veteran's right knee scars were granted a 20 percent rating from November 12, 2019, to March 10, 2021. The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease was denied any increase in ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling an examination for the Veteran's right knee disorder. The Veteran is required to cooperate in providing records and attend any scheduled examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning regarding the Veteran's delay in seeking treatment for his right knee symptoms. The Veteran testified that he delayed treatment because it wasn't really bothering him until after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the onset and continuity of his knee disabilities, as well as the need for a new VA examination to determine the severity of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including additional argument and evidence received in August 2023. The appeal will be reviewed again for a possible increase in rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and anxiety; a bilateral knee disability, including DJD; and a bilateral foot disability, including pes planus are being remanded for further development.

Service connection is granted for sinusitis.,Service connection is denied for a chest disability, manifested by pain and shortness of breath.,Service connection is denied for a left middle finger condition, manifested by pain, stiffness, and deformity.,Service connection is denied for a genitourinary condition, manifested by recurrent balanitis infections, UTIs or hematuria.,Service connection is denied for a right knee condition, to include as secondary to service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and shoulder conditions, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's GERD symptoms are not productive of considerable impairment of health, and a higher rating is denied.,Prior to August 19, 2016, there was no formal claim for an increased rating for back disability or left shoulder disability. The increase in severity of the disabilities was not factually ascertainable in the one year prior to August 19, 2016.,The Veteran's left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities have worsened since his last examination in 2016, and current examinations are needed before adjudicating these increased rating claims.,Lumbar spine disability: The matter is remanded for further evaluation.,Left shoulder disability: The matter is denied as the Veteran's claim was not received within one year of a prior decision.,Left knee instability: The matter is remanded for further evaluation.,Left knee degenerative arthritis manifested by limitation of extension: The matter is remanded for further evaluation.,Right knee degenerative arthritis: The matter is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right knee condition is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder, right hand, left hand, right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle joints.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral athlete's foot/toenail fungus, tinea cruris (jock itch), left knee disability, right hand arthritis, left hand arthritis, bladder disorder, atrial fibrillation, and low back disability.,There is no evidence of current diagnoses related to the claimed conditions at any time since the claims were filed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities as these conditions are found to be caused by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee instability has been rated at 30 percent effective May 6, 2010.,The Veteran is granted TDIU based on bilateral knee disabilities effective May 6, 2010.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded all other claims due to incomplete or insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her helpless as to need regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on aid and attendance from April 21, 2021.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right and left total knee replacements, but granted SMC based on a need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.