Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection is warranted, including low back disability, left shoulder dislocation, left knee disability, right knee disability, corneal abrasion of the left eye, erectile dysfunction, and headaches.,Service connection was denied for residuals of right index finger laceration and residuals of left upper thigh stab wound due to lack of current disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and her service-connected PTSD, as well as whether any of these conditions were caused or aggravated by her in-service exposure.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the effective date for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and thus the issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 60 percent for total right-knee replacement is granted effective December 1, 2016.

The Veteran's left hip, left knee, and neck disabilities are granted as service-connected.,His bilateral hearing loss is not rated higher than noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for fatigue, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), erectile dysfunction, heart condition, type II diabetes mellitus, and depression have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, right hip disability, and left hip disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for the residuals of a right knee injury due to new and material evidence received since the May 1974 rating decision. The claim is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee condition and granted it. The evidence shows that the Veteran sustained an injury playing volleyball during active duty, which led to current diagnoses of meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the issues are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension and left knee surgical scar were denied compensable ratings. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for a painful scar associated with the left meniscus tear with Baker's cyst status post total knee replacement, effective March 4, 2020.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected left knee disability as of August 1, 2022. Additionally, he is granted SMC at the housebound rate effective from August 1, 2022.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, and low back condition due to new and material evidence having been received. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA records from 1997 to 1998 and any non-VA treatment records. They are also asked to send the claim file to an audiologist for a delayed onset of hearing loss opinion and to another physician to provide opinions on service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot osteoarthritis with calcaneal spurs and bilateral pes planus, bilateral ankle degenerative arthritis, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis as these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.,Service connection is also granted for non-allergic rhinitis and sleep apnea, both of which had their onset during the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the left knee increased rating claim due to insufficient range of motion testing results. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the left knee claim and will be deferred until the left knee issue is resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to April 21, 2004 do not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board also denied his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance prior to March 10, 2022.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of recent medical records and a need for clarification on the etiology of her diagnosed conditions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for a Decision Review Officer hearing.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary to ensure compliance with the duty to assist, as required. The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, total right knee arthroplasty, musculoligamentous strain with ligamentous laxity, left knee, and left knee patellofemoral and medial compartment degenerative disease are remanded.

The Board has found that the duty to assist this Veteran has not been fulfilled and a remand is required to acquire outstanding private medical records related to his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.