Knee Board decisions

Service connection for PTSD, a left knee disorder, OSA, COPD, GERD, and headaches has been granted.,Effective dates prior to the specified dates have not been established.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional evaluations and documentation to determine his eligibility for VR&E services, including a change in the vocational rehabilitation employment goal, additional education in pursuit of an M.D., or other appropriate training.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for a right total knee replacement, and the case has been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as 10% since April 22, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral flat feet and left knee conditions has been denied. The skin rash claim is remanded.,Service connection for the Veteran’s bilateral flat feet condition was not granted as it did not meet the criteria of direct service connection. Service connection for his left knee condition was also denied due to a pre-existing condition that worsened during service, but was not aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed right knee disorder made during the pendency of the appeal, including arthritis. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be reconsidered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, finding that these conditions are not related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left knee is denied. The evidence shows that the Veteran has pain and stiffness, but no ankylosis or instability, resulting in flexion limited to 100 degrees.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right foot pes planus is proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded two issues: an increased rating for a left knee disability and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The claims file does not include a Supplemental Statement of the Case reflecting consideration of evidence submitted since the December 2015 Statement of the Case, including a November 2018 VA knee exam.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected. The left knee disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination findings, specifically regarding the severity and frequency of flare-ups. The Veteran's right knee femoropatellar syndrome with shin splints and degenerative joint disease needs further evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and a Left Knee Disorder, finding that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including the need for a total knee replacement and subsequent revision surgery, is rated at 60 percent since April 8, 2013. A TDIU is granted beginning June 1, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left glenohumeral joint instability, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right and left knee lateral instability was denied. The Board found no evidence of a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left shoulder disability or a rating in excess of 10 percent for either knee condition.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded as there are conflicting statements about his combat experience and he has not been diagnosed with PTSD related to combat.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, back disability, bilateral knee disability, and allergic rhinitis due to new evidence. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee DJD is granted as service connected. The left knee disorder claim, including secondary to a service-connected back disability, is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, right knee, left knee, right foot, left foot, neurological disorders (fibromyalgia and toxic encephalopathy), CFS, heart disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss. The appeals are now pending with the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the claims for a determination on whether the Veteran's discharge from February 1950 to April 1957 constitutes a bar to VA compensation benefits. The other service connection issues are also being remanded due to their inextricability with this issue.

Service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) is dismissed as the Veteran was already granted service connection in a previous decision.,TDIU from August 1, 2015 is dismissed because the Veteran's right knee disability alone did not render him unemployable. However, TDIU prior to August 1, 2015 remains denied due to lack of evidence showing he was unable to work.