Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and left knee condition have been denied. The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea and left knee condition.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for his knee conditions was dismissed because he withdrew the appeal in writing.

Effective October 1, 2014, the Veteran was granted service connection for right and left knee injuries (patellar/quadriceps tendon ruptures), bilateral knee scars, and an anxiety disorder. Effective October 1, 2014, he also received separate 10% ratings for right and left knee instability.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded as there are no prior unadjudicated claims.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and service connection for various peripheral neuropathies have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection has not been established for low back disability, right hand disability, left hand disability, right knee disability, or left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted, as new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim. The Board finds that the current left knee condition is etiologically linked to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's vertigo is currently rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 6204 due to the lack of objective findings supporting the diagnosis of vestibular disequilibrium.,The Veteran’s essential tremor has increased in severity since his last VA examination, and he should be provided an opportunity for a VA examination to determine its current severity.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 30, 2009 for the grant of a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The Veteran was unable to maintain substantial gainful employment from April 30, 2009 to August 2, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for knee disability, diabetes mellitus, and restrictive lung disease have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of low back, left knee, right knee, and kidney disorders due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claims for service connection of left heel, right heel, and left ankle disorders are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.,Additional examination is required to determine if the Veteran’s unspecified depressive disorder is related to his in-service exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards.,An additional VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran’s headaches are due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's sleep disturbance (including sleep apnea and insomnia) claims require an additional VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,An additional VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran’s athlete's foot is due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia with bilateral leg pain claims require an additional VA examination to determine if it is related to his in-service exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,An additional VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran’s hypertension is due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's right knee disability claims require an additional VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and/or Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's left knee disability claims require an additional VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and/or Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability claims require an additional VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and/or Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's skin rash on face and head claims require an additional VA examination to determine if it is due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,An additional VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran’s gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is related to his in-service exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for low back condition, bilateral hand condition, right shoulder injury, and bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for further development and evaluation of her service-connected left knee, left ankle, right knee reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and low back disabilities due to inadequate prior examinations.

The Board denied service connection for various knee, elbow, neck, and hand disorders due to a lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right knee disorder, and a mouth disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has restored the Veteran's right knee instability rating from 0% to 30%, effective November 1, 2015. The reduction was improper due to lack of actual improvement in the condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of neck disorder, right knee condition secondary to left knee disability, and migraines have been granted. The right shoulder disorder claim has not met the criteria for reopening.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for asthma, left knee condition, hemorrhoids, and PTSD due to lack of current diagnoses and failure to meet all criteria for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's right knee strain is granted a 10% rating. The left knee osteochondritis dissecans and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for his heart disability and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded, as well as the issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance (SMC).