Knee Board decisions

The appeal pertaining to the application to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, left knee disorder, and respiratory disorder (sleep apnea) is dismissed. The claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee is granted.

The claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, foot disability (claimed as blisters or blood poison), respiratory disability (COPD), diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiac/heart disability, right lower extremity PVD, left lower extremity PVD, right lower extremity DVT, left lower extremity DVT, embolism, cellulitis, right ulnar peripheral neuropathy, and left ulnar peripheral neuropathy have been granted. The claims for service connection for right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, back/spine disability, and left eye disability are still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that the current condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Lyme disease, left knee disability, right knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's right hip disability is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disabilities and for adjudicating the TDIU claim in conjunction with the right hip disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee/leg disability, finding that his right knee osteoarthritis was not incurred in service and is not related to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and no continuity of symptomatology. The Board also found that the current degenerative arthritis was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders due to incomplete records and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's Reiter's syndrome, including its associated conditions such as iritis, prostatitis, degenerative joint disease of the feet and hands, and IBS, is rated at 100% for the initial rating period from January 1, 2009 to September 27, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disorder, headaches, and right knee condition due to exposure to Gulf War hazards. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and bilateral foot rash are being reviewed.

The Board denied service connection for an allergic rash disability, a left knee disability (no cartilage), and a back disability, to include a herniated disc. The Veteran's claim for a left foot disability was remanded.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of current evidence of a disability proximate to the claim or during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not service-connected as they did not manifest within one year of discharge from active duty, and there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The left knee disability was also not service-connected due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury or disease.,There is insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, as the previous examination did not comply with VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased SMC rates are denied. The Board found that the criteria for these benefits were not met due to lack of legal basis or evidence.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected conditions, as well as to determine if there is a relationship between his current disabilities and active service. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee condition, and remanded the issues related to gout, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the ankles, feet, right hand, and right wrist. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an initial rating higher than 30 percent for his left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to service or any other service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for COPD, bilateral knee disability, and prostate cancer. The claim of service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The Board denied service connection for bronchitis, asthma/emphysema, and allergic rhinitis as the Veteran's conditions preexisted his military service in 1990-1991. The Board also denied service connection for bilateral foot disabilities and right and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence showing their onset during or related to service.