Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for left hip instability, right hip instability, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition as secondary to his service-connected right ankle condition.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to untimely filing of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The initial rating of 10 percent, but not higher, has been assigned for pulmonary sarcoidosis. Service connection has also been established for migraine headaches, degenerative arthritis in the left knee, right knee disorder (osteoarthritis), right ankle sprain, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, bilateral flat feet, and various foot conditions.

The Veteran's right and left knee strains, as well as shin splints, were granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from October 25, 2017 to March 11, 2024.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right knee strain (painful motion), and right knee instability are now rated at 30 percent effective August 16, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted to assess the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee joint replacement is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the highest available rating. The Board denied a higher rating as there was no evidence of severe painful motion or limitation of motion.,Bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection is being remanded for the lumbar spine disability and right knee and calf disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, right wrist, headaches, and sleep disturbances as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities during the appeal period.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disabilities as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.,Service connection cannot be granted because there is no showing of chronicity or continuity of symptoms within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's left knee condition, bilateral foot disabilities, and keratoconus have been granted service connection.,A reduction in the rating for hemorrhoids was improper, and the original rating of 20 percent has been restored.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, but denied his claim for right knee disorder. The Board also remanded the cases of left leg disorder and lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left, right ankle disabilities, left and right hip disabilities, left and right shin splints, and left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate nexus opinions in the VA examination reports. The Veteran contends that her current disabilities are related to injuries sustained during basic training.

The Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is remanded due to the AOJ's failure to address whether it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the program. The Board finds that the Veteran has been in need of personal care services for at least six continuous months based on an inability to perform the ADL of bathing.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, headaches, and cardiovascular condition are granted as service-connected due to in-service exposure to contaminated water and other toxins.,The Veteran's left arm, knee, hip, wrist, and low back conditions are also granted as service-connected due to an in-service RTV accident.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected left and right knee strains, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that side effects from prescribed medications contributed substantially and materially to his accidental motorcycle collision resulting in fatal injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, bone spurs and arthritis in the feet, concussion with residuals, degenerative disc disease in the lower back, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right shoulder impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendinitis.,The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection for a right thumb condition, right hip condition, and lower extremity nerve conditions.