Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee condition, finding that there was no diagnosed right knee condition throughout the appellate period and that the evidence did not support a link to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for skin disease was reopened and granted.,Claims for chronic nosebleed, acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, and right knee disability were denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's right knee condition, including service connection for various secondary conditions and a rating increase. The Veteran is also seeking an earlier effective date for his right knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of kidney cancer, a right lower extremity disability other than a right knee disability or peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and restless leg syndrome have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's right knee instability and meniscus condition are rated at 20 percent, effective from April 18, 2017. The Veteran also receives a 30 percent rating for his right knee limitation of flexion.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for the left knee disorder from December 17, 2019, effective as of that date.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully assess and adjudicate the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for residuals of left ankle ligament strains, service connection for a right knee disorder, entitlement to TDIU based upon service-connected disabilities, and entitlement to special monthly compensation. The Veteran will need to undergo updated VA examinations and possibly additional treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to her active service or her service-connected left hip tendonitis.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for individual unemployability and a higher rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU prior to July 21, 2014, and there was no evidence of worsening in her service-connected disabilities between July 21, 2013, and July 21, 2014, such that she became unemployable during this period. The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are now pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis and eligibility for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only. The appeal for service connection for a right ankle disability (including fracture residuals) secondary to right knee patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis and sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The new opinions must be provided with adequate rationale, addressing specific evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder was granted. The claims for tinea pedis, respiratory disability (including chronic bronchitis, COPD, and other respiratory pathology related to pulmonary eosinophilic granulomatosis and obstructive sleep apnea), foot disability other than tinea pedis, upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, and right knee disability are still pending and need further examination.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease and meniscal tear with symptomatic episodes are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has found no basis for a higher rating or additional separate ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, diabetes mellitus, type II, and right shoulder disability have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for left knee disorder and bilateral plantar fasciitis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is considered to be at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension.,Service connection for a right knee disability secondary to service-connected back and left knee disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support the presence of a current right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various initial disability rating claims related to his left knee condition, including instability and limitation of extension. The ratings were found not to warrant higher evaluations based on the evidence provided.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, OSA, and skin cancer are service-connected. However, due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause or aggravation of these conditions by a service-connected condition, additional development is required.