Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected neck, headaches, and left knee disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 14, 2009. The Board has granted TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lateral and collateral ligament laxity of both knees as all issues have been finally adjudicated.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to joint disease disability, as well as pension benefits prior to March 19, 2021, and special monthly pension. The Veteran's joint disabilities are being examined again to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his TDIU claim and the rating of his right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his left and right knee disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to inadequate examinations and other procedural issues.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to the addition of relevant VA examination reports and treatment records after previous statements of the case were issued.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of May 11, 2013 for the awards of service connection for various conditions including PTSD and major depressive disorder with TBI residuals, migraine headaches, left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella, right knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, and scars of the bilateral knees, left calf (other impairment).

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues with the competency of the VA examiners who initially determined service connection for the Veteran's knee and foot disabilities. The Veteran and his attorney requested their qualifications, and further medical or factual development is needed.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to address secondary service connection claims, including those related to antibiotic medications used to treat service-connected respiratory and sinus conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his left elbow condition, cubital tunnel syndrome, shoulder condition, back condition, knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, eye condition, neuropathy of the hands, and neuropathy of the feet.,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded for an examination and opinion regarding his bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome).,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded for an examination and opinion regarding his shoulder condition.,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his back condition.,The Veteran's appeals are all remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his knee, eye, hand, and foot conditions.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (cyclothymic disorder and PTSD) appeal is also remanded for an examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's appeals are all remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his eye condition.,The Veteran's appeals are all remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his hand and foot conditions.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left and right elbow, left and right knee disabilities, as well as insomnia and OSA. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the medical evidence presented.,Service treatment records did not show any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions. Post-service medical records indicated that the Veteran was diagnosed with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral elbow (and tricep tendonitis), and knee strain.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete medical records and insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to June 3, 2019, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

Service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to back impairment is granted.,An initial rating of 30 percent, but no greater, for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the right below knee amputation due to a finding that it was not caused or aggravated by VA care, and no fault on VA's part.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for left ankle, right knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities need to be remanded due to a lack of certain medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, headaches, PTSD, OSA with asthma, patellar tendinitis, left ankle strain, and tinnitus. The AOJ is instructed to review all relevant evidence and issue a SSOC.