Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to neuropathy and right knee disorder, as well as low back disorders, are remanded due to inadequate or insufficient medical opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable prior to March 13, 2001 and as 10 percent since. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for knee disabilities and leg disabilities due to lack of evidence or clear legal entitlement.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 9, 2011 for the award of SMC based on the need for A&A due to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred during service, did not manifest within one year of separation, and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service.,The Veteran's right knee disorder was not incurred during service, did not manifest within one year of separation, and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, skin disability, cervical spine disability, and right upper extremity radiculopathy have been rated as per the criteria. The effective date for the award of a TDIU has been granted earlier than April 17, 2020, and an earlier effective date for the establishment of basic eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35 (DEA) has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable, as he can perform sedentary work with some restrictions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee conditions due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's lay testimony regarding in-service duties and symptoms is considered sufficient to trigger VA's duty to assist.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral hand conditions (right-hand condition and left-hand condition) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee injury with osteoarthritis, finding that new and relevant evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim. However, the Board also found that the weight of the evidence was against finding an in-service injury or chronic symptoms after service separation, leading to denial of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence since January 1, 2020 and SMC based on housebound criteria being met since January 2, 2020 is denied.

The Board has ordered a remand due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is being reviewed, and an addendum opinion is needed from the examiner.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee DJD, finding that his preexisting condition was aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and additional evidentiary development is required.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee, right knee, left foot, and right foot conditions. The claim for service connection for migraines is remanded due to insufficient opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral wrist disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service events. The Veteran testified that he participated in rigorous training during service, but further evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, a right knee disability, and right ear hearing loss. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders due to inadequate medical opinions addressing the theories of direct and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated as 10 percent disabling, and his right knee disability is also rated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Issues related to increased ratings for post-operative residuals and degenerative joint disease of both knees are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 18, 2013. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, right hip disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection was denied for all four conditions as there is no credible evidence linking them to service.