Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left ankle disability was granted a 20 percent rating from January 7, 2019 onwards. His right knee disability was granted a 20 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, right hand cold injury residuals, and left hand cold injury residuals. The respiratory condition (including asthma) issue is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% since April 20, 2012. The costochondritis is rated at 10% from April 20, 2012 through January 17, 2020 and denied for a higher rating. The hiatal hernia and GERD are not entitled to an initial compensable rating. The residuals of right 5th metacarpal fracture and left knee chondromalacia patella do not warrant a higher than 10% rating. The traumatic brain injury with cognitive impairment is rated at 70% since April 20, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for deviated septum and obstructive sleep apnea as a residual of deviated septum repair. The right knee disability and residuals of a deviated septum repair are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral painful hips, knees, ankles, sleep apnea and high blood pressure are remanded due to the need for further development regarding his service dates and VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, left knee, and right leg/knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 5, 2015 for the initial grant of service connection for right knee instability is granted. The earliest possible effective date is assigned as the date of receipt of the claim, which was November 24, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran's nephrolithiasis and renal failure are secondary to his service-connected lumbar disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, sciatic nerve disorder, left and right knee disabilities, left and right hip disabilities, and lower extremity radiculopathies. The primary basis for denial is that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, finding that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees based on a finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are related to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted the veteran's request for additional attorney fees as a result of past-due benefits awarded in January 2019, which increased his rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome to 10 percent.

The Veteran's arthritis of the left knee, status post torn lateral meniscus repair, is restored to a 40 percent rating. The appeal for a higher rating prior to April 17, 2012, and greater than 40 percent thereafter remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain and gastrointestinal symptoms due to environmental exposure in the Gulf War. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or that they are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders and sleep disorder were not incurred or aggravated during service, are not otherwise related to his service, and do not have a direct link to his service-connected disabilities. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left and right knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral syndrome due to inadequate examination findings, requiring additional development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral knee disorder and back disorder due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous directives.