Knee Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, high blood pressure (hypertension), right knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a failure in VA's duty to assist. The case is being sent back for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a right below knee amputation and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as an increased rating for cervical spine disability. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to August 2, 2012 was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to assess his current disability levels and determine if his symptoms are related to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability with limitation of extension is currently rated at 30 percent from June 8, 2016. The Board denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical evidence in the VA examination reports, and unclear application of diagnostic codes.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection and the evaluation for left knee lateral meniscal tear with meniscectomy and residual degenerative joint disease due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for a right leg disability, hypertension, and bilateral ankle disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability has not met the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion. The current 10 percent rating adequately compensates his functional loss due to pain and other symptoms.,Service connection is granted for hypertensive retinopathy as secondary to service-connected hypertension.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left knee disability requires additional development due to inadequate examination reports, and remands the case for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and right above the knee amputation, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot Morton’s neuroma as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The temporary total disability rating claim based on surgical treatment of a service-connected right knee disability was denied due to untimely filing. The claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and pain with limitation of motion are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate or incomplete examinations, as well as the need to consider SSA disability benefits.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for hearing loss was received on September 27, 2017. A compensable rating (zero percent) is denied.,A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability from September 27, 2017, is granted.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic prostatitis, anxiety disorder, right knee strain, left knee strain, allergic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been granted. The rating for anxiety disorder remains at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right knee disability, left wrist condition, and left knee condition due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his scar above his left knee is also being remanded as there is no current diagnosis of a right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and hypertension. The low back disability claim is denied as there is no evidence it was incurred during service or related to any in-service injury.

The Board dismissed the appeals for reopening service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for Osgood-Schlatter's disease of both knees, headaches, visual floaters, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disorder (DDD), photophobia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and a neck condition due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee disorder and remanded the claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder). The denial of right knee disorder is due to lack of evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition. The PTSD claim requires further examination as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.