Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, right shoulder, hands, and left knee, as well as the claims for a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The appellant withdrew their appeal prior to the decision being finalized.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to a lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's contention that he filed an earlier claim. The Veteran and his representative submitted statements and email correspondence, but no formal or informal claim prior to October 23, 2015 was found.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for back and bilateral knee braces for 2012 due to missing documentation from his previous approvals in 2008, 2009, and 2011. The VAMC is required to obtain these records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee and right wrist degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, including meniscal symptoms and post-total knee replacement conditions, are rated at 10 percent each. The Veteran is granted a separate rating for meniscal impairment in both knees.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and failure to consider evidence from July 2014 showing onset of a meniscus injury. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his right knee disability, which includes both patellofemoral syndrome and a meniscal injury.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, as his manifestations of any additional claimed acquired psychiatric disability are not clearly distinguishable from his service-connected PTSD. The appeal is remanded for further development on several orthopedic issues.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case of service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were incurred during his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and polyarthralgia involving multiple joints, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 5, 2020. As of that date, his combined disability rating is 100 percent, which moots the TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity since service or any severe injuries during service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim can be adjudicated, and the case is remanded for a new VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his service-connected conditions, including back disorder, knee disorders, CAD, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further examination and evaluation regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for service-connected dermatitis, service connection for a low back disability, and service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70% disability rating under Diagnostic Code 9411. For right shoulder and knee disabilities, the evidence showed no significant impairment warranting an increase beyond the current ratings. Service connection was denied for gastrointestinal and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were partially granted, with a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability and a remand for further development on the remaining issues. The lumbar spine disability claim was not addressed as it did not involve service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was granted. Service connection for PTSD was denied. For the rating period from March 4, 2016 to December 7, 2016, a 50 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was granted. For the rating period from December 7, 2016 forward, an increased disability rating in excess of 50 percent is not possible as the Veteran is already at the maximum allowable rating under Diagnostic Code 5276.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, which include coronary artery disease and diabetic retinopathy, making it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.