Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his periods of active duty. An initial rating of 10% is assigned for the left hand fracture.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease and no continuity of symptomatology after service. The Board also found that the Veteran's current knee disorder is more likely due to age-related wear and tear rather than any incident during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and partial lateral meniscectomy, was denied. The RO assigned a 10 percent rating from January 1, 2011 to March 20, 2012; and from June 1, 2012 to August 27, 2012, for the service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's discharge was not due to willful and persistent misconduct, thus allowing VA benefits. The issues of service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left knee condition, right knee condition, heart condition, and hypertension due to unresolved issues regarding their onset during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of several issues, including service connection for neck pain and eye condition. The decision on PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by pain and occasional popping and swelling, has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset during service and is not related to any in-service event or injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to new evidence obtained from service treatment records and personnel records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examinations and issues related to TDIU. The right knee disability case is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and musculoskeletal disabilities are found to be the primary cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, which is granted as secondary.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability, claimed as depression, has been withdrawn.,Service connection for hepatitis C and liver disease was denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service or secondary to another condition. New and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the VR&E benefits claim due to pending appeals for compensation purposes, including service connection and a disability rating for PTSD. The Veteran's ability to obtain suitable employment is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating were denied. Service connection was not granted for right ankle disorder, left leg disorder, or back disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's left knee disability, thoracolumbar spine strain with IVDS, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have all been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right and left knee arthralgia with osteoarthritis status-post total knee replacements are granted. The Board finds that the bilateral knee disorders were caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hammer toes with acquired pes cavus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating before June 14, 2017, for painful extension of the right knee and for a rating greater than 10 percent for his right knee disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to inextricably intertwined with the underlying increased rating claims.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches and has remanded the issues of service connection for a skin disability, bilateral hip disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,Service connection is also granted for a left knee disability that is proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability.