Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and right ankle disability, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction. The Board also denied his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for low back disability.,There is no evidence to support the Veteran’s assertions that his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has vacated and remanded the case due to insufficient VA examinations, requiring a retrospective medical opinion on the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability prior to September 22, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with disc herniation and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions addressing whether it is secondary to obesity resulting from a service-connected disability.

The Veteran is currently employed and has not been found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee meniscal tear repair and traumatic arthritis, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected left knee patellar tendonitis. The issues are currently in appellate status.

The Veteran's tonsil cancer is granted service connection as it was caused by exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in service. Service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are denied due to lack of a nexus between the disabilities and service.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is now rated at 20 percent, effective from April 28, 2009. His right knee disability remains rated as 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for right knee disability and service connection for Hepatitis C are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Board requests additional retrospective opinions from VA clinicians to address the Veteran's symptoms, range of motion, and etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the submission of new medical evidence since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The issues include service connection for various foot, ankle, back, wrist, skin, and shoulder conditions.

The Board has found that the VA examinations did not substantially comply with the May 2019 remand directives and for a duty to assist error. The claims are being remanded for new VA medical opinions to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed migraines, lower back, left knee and left foot disabilities in light of the particular circumstances of the in-service motor vehicle accident described by the Veteran as well as other documented instances of lower back injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not show the Veteran met the criteria for entitlement to this benefit prior to September 17, 2013.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and initial rating for low back, left knee, right knee, and headache disabilities before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran was not precluded from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to September 1, 2009 due to his service-connected right knee disabilities. Therefore, a TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus and TDIU due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, a completed VA Form 21-8940, and an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected left knee sprain. The examiner will need to address whether any diagnosed right knee disability began in service, was caused by service, or is otherwise related to the Veteran’s active service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to March 19, 2009 for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU and there is no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremities, left knee condition, and headaches due to inadequate attempts to schedule VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his post-operative residuals of left total knee replacement is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.