Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's headaches started during service and continued until his death. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's headaches had their onset in service, and grants service connection for headaches.,Regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder), the Board notes there are several diagnoses present. Adequate opinions have not been obtained that separately address each theory of entitlement and psychiatric disorder that the Veteran was diagnosed with during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disability, PTSD, and ED, have been granted. The decision also remands several other issues.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several conditions have been dismissed.,The claims for service connection for right knee arthritis and hearing loss of the left ear have been reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development as the Board finds that a higher evaluation than 60 percent for his service-connected right knee disability on or after March 1, 2019, is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 because the evidence did not show that the September 2013 total right knee replacement with removal of hardware caused an additional disability due to VA's negligence or a not reasonably foreseeable event.

The claims for service connection related to tinnitus, right knee condition, sleep deprivation, low back condition, heart condition, and stomach condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and his right and left knee limitations of flexion are granted with increased ratings. Right and left knee instability are also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for hip and knee disabilities due to incomplete records, inadequate VA examinations, and failure to address certain criteria in the rating criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding no evidence of current disability related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted, with a rating of 70 percent effective September 10, 2015. The Veteran also received an increased TDIU rating.,Service connection for the Veteran's miscarriage and right knee disability are both granted.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are being remanded due to a new service department record that was not considered by the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back, right and left hip, and right and left knee disabilities. The claim for PTSD was denied.,A remand is required to address the Veteran's eye disability claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip and knee conditions secondary to her service-connected low back IVDS are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 19, 2016.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and ratings related to his right foot, left ear hearing loss, and left knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of all pending appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) as his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right knee iliotibial band syndrome and instability, as well as his right shoulder rotator cuff syndrome, have been granted increased ratings. The right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at a combined 40 percent, with the rating split between instability (20%) and posttraumatic osteoarthritis (10%). The remaining 10% is for arthritis. This decision grants an increased rating but does not resolve all issues on appeal.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and PTSD, but denies these claims due to lack of a valid diagnosis of PTSD related to active service.