Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, asthma, and sinus disabilities due to new evidence received since the August 1993 denial. The Veteran's current hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's left elbow disability is rated at a maximum of 50 percent, and he has been granted TDIU. The Board also found that the Veteran's muscular weakness in his left elbow warrants a separate compensable rating, and higher ratings for his left knee scar residuals are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle disability (left drop foot, nerve damage) and left lower leg muscle atrophy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The right knee disorder claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and evidence.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it involves issues that have not been fully addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports from March 2022 and June 2023.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus, right ankle disability, and right knee replacement due to dishonorable discharge. The case is remanded for further examination regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10% for limitation of extension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back, right knee, left knee, and chronic cough conditions are related to his active service. However, due process requires a remand for additional examinations and opinions to address secondary service connection claims and exposure to burn pits.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from January 4, 2018 to March 29, 2021. The Veteran's right knee and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a separate initial disability rating of 10 percent from September 13, 2010, through December 1, 2011. However, the combined rating for disabilities of an extremity cannot exceed the rating for amputation at the elective level due to the 'amputation rule', thus preventing any higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his left shoulder strain, left ankle sprain, right knee sprain with patellar dislocation, and lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension and right knee arthritis have been granted service connection based on continuity of symptoms since separation from service.,Service connection for OSA is remanded as it is secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's headaches have been granted service connection, but a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity and whether his condition has worsened. For his right knee disability, a new VA examination is required to assess its nature and etiology, including whether it is related to service or aggravated by other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for an increased initial rating for his left ankle disability and service connection for a bilateral knee condition are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the right knee condition, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right hand, left hand, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease, chronic symptoms during service, or treatment for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to June 21, 2023. The Board granted a TDIU due to the service-connected PTSD and SMC based on housebound status prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee condition, including gout and synovitis. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability and hearing loss/tinnitus have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is now granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).