Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of low back strain, service connection for bilateral knee disability and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to failure to appear for VA examinations. A new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected low back strain, nature and etiology of any diagnosed right and/or left knee disabilities, and whether any acquired psychiatric conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to inadequate reasons or bases in the previous decisions. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to her in-service motor vehicle accident, but there are no STRs showing a direct impact on the neck. For the left and right knee disabilities, the Board found that additional evidence was needed as the VA examination did not adequately address the lack of complaints about the knees until 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the earliest claim was filed on July 28, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability and denied increased ratings for various knee disabilities, left knee disability (impairment of knee due to instability), right hip disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims were not based on exposure to specific environmental factors.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and/or migraines, as well as a need for additional development regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status due to his service-connected conditions, including cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's service connection claims for ampullary carcinoma and right knee disability have been remanded due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.,The Veteran's total disability due to individual unemployability claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by the above-mentioned issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee condition is being remanded due to the need for a Sharp compliant examination.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee total joint replacement, right knee replaced broken leg, numbness in left leg and foot (secondary to left knee total joint replacement), left shoulder arthritis, lower back/lumbago, left ankle, and sinusitis. The reasons provided include the lack of a nexus between these conditions and active military service.,The Board found that there is no evidence linking any of these conditions to the Veteran's time in active duty.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service-connected due to a documented injury during active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits are granted with an effective date of January 22, 2009. The effective dates for both benefits are contingent on the permanent total service-connected disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, back, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and medical opinions related to the Veteran's left knee ACL tear and arthritis. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred or caused by the Veteran's active-duty service. The decision also denied service connection for residuals of a broken left foot toe.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dermatitis, bilateral feet is dismissed. The claim to reopen a back disability is denied as no new and material evidence has been received. Service connection for sinusitis (claimed as congestion) is granted. The claims for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, a bilateral foot disability, a stomach disability, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and back and right knee disabilities due to new evidence submitted after the Veteran's hearing.

The Veteran's left total knee replacement was granted a rating of 60 percent, effective from April 3, 2019. The Veteran's cholecystectomy was denied an increased evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disability has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that her current right knee osteoarthritis is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by her in-service sports-related injuries.