Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome and lumbosacral strain, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an increase in PTSD with depression, earlier effective date for service connection, and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the knees are all remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ must obtain private treatment records from his mental health provider and arrange for a VA examination for his knee conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for award of a TDIU, and entitlement to TDIU is granted from November 1, 2019.

The Veteran's left knee flexion is not limited to 30 degrees or less, so the claim for a higher disability rating for left knee strain is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity neurological impairment (claimed as chronic pain syndrome), right and left knee disabilities, and erectile dysfunction due to issues with duty to assist.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right knee internal derangement with degenerative joint disease have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The Veteran is currently receiving the highest schedular rating for her left knee condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric conditions, spinal disorders, knee and foot disabilities, hepatitis C, hypertension, gastrointestinal issues, and shoulder and elbow conditions. The evidence submitted did not provide new or relevant information to support these claims.

The Veteran's left ear scar is granted service connection, with the Board finding it at least as likely as not related to military service.,Service connection for a stomach condition is denied. The VA examiner found no chronic stomach disability and opined that any current stomach condition is less likely than not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right knee injury, finding that there was no evidence of additional disability caused by VA medical care.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 5, 2006 due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and additional development is required.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, which included claims for service connection and increased ratings. The Board dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for a heart disability and increased ratings for various knee conditions. The Veteran's claim for headaches was denied, and the right heel calcaneal spur issue remains pending.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss, a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease, service connection for pinched nerves in the neck, and service connection for pinched nerves in the back have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 50 percent for major depressive disorder has been granted, effective October 15, 2018. The claims for service connection for a back disorder and left knee disorders have been reopened and remanded. The right knee osteoarthritis claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left and right knee disabilities, as well as prostate cancer residuals and ischemic heart disease (IHD), due to the grant of these conditions in a prior rating decision. The Veteran's appeal is therefore moot.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits was denied as he does not have an employment handicap and is therefore not in need of rehabilitation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and increased ratings for shin splints of the left leg and right knee tendonitis with shin splints of the right leg.,The evidence did not show an increase in severity of the underlying conditions during service, and thus the presumption of aggravation does not apply.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee arthritis and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on direct evidence, not a presumption or secondary condition.