Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and low back disability (claimed as back pain) are not service-connected, while his bilateral knee disabilities remain under consideration due to their inextricably intertwined nature with the hip disability. The claims for these conditions are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 1, 2016. The Board denied entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU rating.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle, right knee, left knee, right hip, and low back disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left knee disability, right knee disability, and back disability due to inadequate medical opinions in the July 2018 remand. Additional VA examinations are needed.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for various knee and wrist disorders, as well as a back disorder. Additional development is needed through VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's osteochondritis of the left knee.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied. The appeal for increased ratings for left knee subluxation and limitation of extension was granted with a 10% rating, effective from August 19, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the adequacy of the VA medical examination and opinion provided for the service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's claim will be returned to the AOJ for correction.

The Veteran's left knee brace, prescribed for his service-connected knee disability, tended to wear out or tear his clothing. The Board granted an annual clothing allowance for the 2019 calendar year.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been granted increased ratings for limitation of flexion with painful motion, extension to 10 degrees, and moderate instability. The right knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, left knee pain, right knee pain, heart disorder (ischemic heart disease), bilateral hearing loss, and back disorder are all granted. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, skin condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, IBS, left shoulder pain, right shoulder pain, left knee pain, right knee pain, left hand pain, left arm pain, lower back pain, and bilateral toe conditions have all been denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for an upper respiratory disorder, diastolic heart failure (claimed as heart condition), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability secondary to his right knee disability should be remanded due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of hands, arms, knees, shoulders, and back, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that he had these conditions during or due to his time in service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, including evaluations for radiculopathy in both lower extremities and left knee strain. The evaluation of right common peroneal nerve residuals is also remanded.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records to address the Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various orthopedic and psychiatric conditions due to incomplete records and a need to verify one of his claimed inservice stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as a result of military sexual trauma (MST), bilateral foot tendonitis, and other issues. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding her symptoms and medical records that support these findings.

The Veteran's right knee disability resulted in recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, limitation of flexion, and pain and effusion. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability and a 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion from April 2009 forward.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC, as he is not in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.