Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD and hearing loss, have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left knee degenerative arthritis with Osgood Schlatters disease with instability is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and service connection for a left hip disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of shin splints or right ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.,The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease are likely not due to military service. The Board has also determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of blurred vision or shoulder disabilities for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in denying a higher initial rating for the Veteran's left knee condition and issues related to an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased evaluation of various conditions, including left knee disability, hypertension, cervical spine disability, and a left arm disability. The issues are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology and severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Service connection is remanded for the Left Knee Disability issue.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically limitation of extension and flexion, were granted at 40 percent ratings effective October 24, 2011 for the right knee and March 2, 2017 for the left knee. A separate 10 percent rating was also granted for limitation of flexion of the left knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome due to his failure to report for an earlier scheduled examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased level of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for a higher level of care at the rate specified under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under any provisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee conditions, finding that there was no evidence linking his current knee disabilities to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability was denied due to lack of evidence of disease or injury in service. The claim is not reopened as new and material evidence has not been received.,Service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder cannot be established as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, which requires a specific stressor event. Major depressive disorder was diagnosed but there is no link to service or an in-service stressor.,The Veteran's skin disability (presumably seborrheic dermatitis and actinic keratoses) is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.,There is no evidence of a bilateral shoulder disability at any time during the pendency of the claim. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has a current disability or that it is related to service.,Diabetes mellitus was not present in service and there is no link between diabetes and service, including exposure to herbicide agents.,The bilateral eye disability (presumably macular disease, cataracts, and presbyopia) is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. There is no evidence of a current disability or that it is related to service.,There is no evidence of a bilateral knee disability at any time during the pendency of the claim. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has a current disability or that it is related to service.,The lumbosacral strain was not present in service and there is no link between the condition and service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hip, neck, knee, and shoulder disabilities due to their relationship with a now-service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder. The other conditions were denied due to lack of a current disability or no evidence linking them to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various shoulder, knee, and wrist disorders as secondary to his service-connected bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board found no in-service right hip injury or disease, and that the current right hip disorder is not related to active service. For the other conditions, the Board found insufficient evidence to support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's increased ratings claims are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, bilateral foot condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, back pain, and neck pain are remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, right wrist, bilateral knee, shin splints, ankle, foot (pes planus), bronchitis, onychomycosis, and hearing loss have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, headache disability, and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, migraines, and hypertension. The Veteran's left knee, left ankle, and left foot disabilities were remanded due to lack of evidence in the record. Service connection for tinnitus was also remanded as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that it is related to service.,The Veteran's depression disorder claim had an effective date denied because he did not file a timely appeal.