Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee replacements and lower extremity neuropathies, have resulted in the loss of use of both lower extremities. This has been determined to preclude locomotion without regular and constant use of assistive devices such as braces, a cane, and a walker. As a result, eligibility for specially adapted housing is granted. However, this legally precludes a separate special home adaptation grant.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee, right knee, and sinus conditions due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records show complaints of knee problems during service, but no current diagnoses are provided in his VA medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hypertension, bilateral eye disability, headaches, psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, low back disability, knee and hip disabilities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hearing loss, have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to MST and bipolar disorder is granted. Claims for gangrene of the left foot, gangrene of the left knee, gangrene of the right foot, and gangrene of the right knee are denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee scar, right knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder due to new evidence being added to the file.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, hypertension, left knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss claims due to incomplete or inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's plantar fasciitis and right knee disability have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent each. The limitation of extension for the right knee has also been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of bilateral knees is related to service. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion and consider all submitted evidence, including a study from the National Institute of Health.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are remanded due to outstanding treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran is also scheduled for examinations closer to his home or via telehealth.

The Veteran's hypertension, left upper and right upper extremity neuropathy, left knee disability, and right knee disability are granted. The Veteran's DM is remanded for increased rating consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee and bilateral pes planus disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which he contends were aggravated by his in-service exposure to herbicide agents or are related to his pre-existing bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional VA evidence, specifically surgical records from May 2021. The appeal will be reconsidered after these records are added to the claims file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions due to additional evidence being added to his file. The AOJ is required to review this new evidence before making a decision.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for left knee limitation of flexion prior to January 2, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee disability and a TDIU have been withdrawn from the Legacy appeals system due to his opt-in into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) review system.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee disability as secondary to right knee degenerative joint disease, and back condition as secondary to right knee degenerative joint disease. The decision is based on medical evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected right knee injury.

The Board has decided that the claims for service connection for vertigo and right knee osteoarthritis need further evaluation due to insufficient opinions in the VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claims for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.