Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it was shown to be present within a year of separation from service. Service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee are denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease and no continuity of symptomatology post-service. Service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and bilateral knee conditions, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since October 1, 2016.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's daughter, K.J., is granted helpless child benefits on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support before attaining the age of 18.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded them for further development. The issues of service connection for back condition, left hip disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for thoracolumbar, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The claim for hypertension is also remanded as it may be related to these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to new evidence submitted. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is denied as there was no in-service injury or disease, and continuity of symptomatology is not established.,Service connection for a respiratory disability manifested by shortness of breath is remanded due to the presence of additional service treatment records that may affect the VA examiner’s opinion.,The right knee disability is remanded as it may be aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right knee disability, and hiatal hernia, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. Right, tinnitus, lumbar spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The remand includes requests to obtain VA, DoD, and private treatment records; authorize release of any outstanding private treatment records; and schedule updated VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a back condition and has not had one at any time during the pendency of her claim or recent to the filing of the claim. The right knee condition and major depressive disorder are both remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and left foot tarsal tunnel. The right hip disability and bilateral knee pain are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for service-connected right knee disability and service connection for left knee disability, to include as due to service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's appeal remains on hold until further action is taken.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral hips, knees, left shoulder, and thoracolumbar spine as there was no evidence showing a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee joint osteoarthritis does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, particularly regarding an MRI or arthroscopy for the Veteran's left knee. The claim is being returned to the RO for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a left knee disorder, lumbar/thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease as secondary to the right knee disability, degenerative arthritis of the left knee as secondary to the right knee disability, and hip conditions (right and left) are all granted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine prior to August 31, 2018 or since then. Service connection was also denied for umbilical hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right elbow strain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee, and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and other procedural issues.