Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, and low back disability have been granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The application to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability is denied.,The application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a left knee disability is granted, and the case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the current left knee disability.,Reconsideration of the previously denied claim of service connection for sinus disability (claimed as hay fever) is granted, and the case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the current sinus disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate October 2014 and March 2017 VA knee examinations. The Veteran underwent a left total knee replacement on October 18, 2022, and is currently rated at 30 percent for his left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, post-traumatic tissue mass of the right midfoot, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acne rosacea, and tension headaches. Service connection was denied for a right knee disability, arrhythmia, prostatic hypertrophy, and a disability manifested as tingling and numbness in hands, fingers, toes, and forehead.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee, back, and right leg disabilities due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being reviewed again as they may be substantiated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of asthma. The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for asthma, and service connection was granted for obstructive sleep apnea. Other claims were remanded due to lack of STRs and Reserves records.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection of a left knee condition was granted. Service connection is now established for left knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patella. The remaining issues, including those related to the neck, shoulder, sleep deprivation, lung disorder, and neuralgia, are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for sinusitis and TDIU were dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.,The Veteran was granted a 30% rating for sinusitis from December 14, 2020.

The Veteran's left knee disability, prior to August 14, 2018, warranted a separate 30 percent rating for limitation of extension due to pain and instability.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the current issues on appeal due to a lack of recent examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran needs to provide missing medical records, and a more contemporaneous VA examination must be conducted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient development and procedural errors, including failure to obtain service department records and private treatment records from Dr. H.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee arthritis and obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as he failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Board has remanded the claims for heart disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran's heart disability is being reviewed for potential secondary service connection to his psychiatric disability. Right and left knee disabilities are also being reviewed for potential secondary service connection to his thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective June 26, 2017. The issue of entitlement to service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 15, 2019 is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee was granted a 20% rating for limitation of flexion, and separate ratings were granted for limitation of extension and instability. The left knee received a 10% rating for limitation of extension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a right hip disability are not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, hypertension, and lower back disability due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of supporting medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability and whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities.