Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his active-duty service. The Veteran contends that his right knee disability is related to his active-duty service, but a VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not associated with his service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and limited extension, is rated at 20 percent. The left knee disorder, specifically the meniscus tear, also warrants a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of left knee, left ankle, degenerative arthritis left shoulder, and degenerative arthritis right shoulder conditions. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea is also REMANDED.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis is granted, related to an in-service back injury.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right and left knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's contentions and evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were dismissed due to the withdrawal of these issues by his attorney during a hearing.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection for right shoulder, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder is reopened, and the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for his right knee disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations and outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia was granted service connection on a presumptive basis as it manifested within one year of his separation from service. The digestive disability (GERD) issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's hearing loss, pinguecula (eyes burning), sleep apnea, hypertension, left shoulder disability, allergies, shin splints, knee pain, and neck disability are all remanded for further examination and opinion. The PACT Act is not applicable to these claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee strain as secondary to his already service-connected shin splints.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a bilateral knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity neurologic disability due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for TBI was granted, and he is now entitled to a grant of service connection. His left knee disability remains rated at 20 percent. The increased rating claim for his left knee disability was denied. Service connection claims for depression secondary to TBI, right knee patellar tendon rupture as secondary to service-connected left knee disability and/or TBI, and bilateral hearing loss were all remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disability and a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have currently diagnosed disabilities for which service connection can be granted, and thus remanded the case to obtain clarification on his neck disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to incomplete adjudication of his claims, including a lack of consideration of new evidence submitted prior to the expiration of the appeal period. The issues include bilateral knee disability, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, IVDS, radiculopathy in both lower extremities, and TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because the award of a TDIU would not assist in attaining SMC at the housebound rate, which has already been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his knee disabilities and GERD. The Board finds no need to assign a rating or effective date at this time.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for various disabilities, including right and left ankle, acne, left wrist, left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation of current disability ratings.