Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities due to inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran's current hip and knee conditions are being evaluated again, with a focus on their relationship to service-connected low back and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The issue of an initial compensable rating for TBI is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being submitted after a supplemental statement of the case, and the Veteran requested that it be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination for right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the issues of a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected residuals, multiple dislocations, left shoulder with acromioclavicular arthritis and TDIU due to the need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back and left knee disabilities due to missing service treatment records, which may affect his service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate rationale in a previous examination. A new examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service or to the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has determined that an addendum VA examination is necessary to fully address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee condition, as the current examination was not adequate for adjudication.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including TBI and PTSD. The AOJ is instructed to review all new evidence since the last statement of the case and determine if any benefits can be granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 100% disability rating, effective October 16, 2017.,An earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied.,Service connection for back disability is not reopened and remains denied.,Service connection for bilateral knee disability is not reopened and remains denied.,Service connection for bilateral ankle disability is not reopened and remains denied.

Your claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been granted, and the issue is no longer pending.

The Board denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including left wrist fracture, bilateral knee and foot disabilities, back disability, neck disability, and bilateral shin disability. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated in service.

The Veteran is as likely as not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected knee disabilities, and the Board finds that an extraschedular TDIU is warranted.

The appeal seeking service connection for a right knee condition is dismissed.,The appeal seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.,The appeal seeking service connection for memory loss, loss of concentration, and night terrors is dismissed.,The appeals seeking to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, a kidney condition, hair loss condition, and urinary condition are all dismissed.,The appeal seeking an increased rating for tinnitus is dismissed.,The appeal seeking an increased rating for residuals of traumatic synovitis of the left knee (a left knee disability) is dismissed.,The appeal seeking an increased rating for a left ear hearing loss disability for the period prior to June 6, 2017 is dismissed.,The appeal seeking an increased rating for a bilateral hearing loss disability beginning June 6, 2017, is dismissed.,The appeal seeking an increased rating for gastritis is dismissed.,The appeals seeking earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss disability, low back disability, and gastritis are all dismissed.,The appeal seeking a TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability) is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee condition, including his total knee replacement, is related to his in-service left knee injuries and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and denied earlier effective dates for bilateral knee strain and right ankle condition. The Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric condition, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and patellar tendinopathy (right knee disability), and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and patellar tendinopathy (left knee disability) due to the Veteran's active duty service. The decision is based on positive medical opinions linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, and right knee condition is remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining inpatient treatment records from his active duty periods and providing an addendum medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right knee meniscal tear with instability, and right knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia. The appeals were based on direct service connection.