Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a sleep disorder, as well as his increased rating claims for low back and bilateral knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at 10 percent since April 6, 2009. The left ankle scar is currently rated at 10 percent. The left torn Achilles tendon and bilateral pes planus disabilities are both rated at 10 percent. The right knee DJD is rated at 30 percent. The decision does not address the left knee strain.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability, posttraumatic stress disorder (PSTD), bilateral knee strain, and liver cirrhosis has been granted. The effective dates are not specified.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder, left knee, and low back disabilities. The diagnoses include lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis, patellofemoral syndrome and strain in the left knee, and supraspinatus tendinosis and posterior labral tear in the left shoulder.

The Veteran's claims for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been reopened. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the Veteran's assertions of current bilateral ear, gynecological and hearing loss disabilities incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a left knee disability, an increased evaluation for unspecified depressive disorder, and TDIU prior to September 1, 2016 have been dismissed. The case is remanded for further development regarding the left knee disability.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability and has remanded his claims regarding left knee limitation of flexion, dysthymic disorder, and GAD. The issues are related to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee osteoarthritis, PTSD, CAD, right ankle osteoarthritis, and shrapnel wound scars, are rated at a combined 90 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to their severity and nature.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is not found to be in need of aid and attendance or housebound, thus denying entitlement to Special Monthly Pension (SMP).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow, left shoulder, and left knee disabilities have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claim for a right elbow disability is denied as there is no evidence linking it to active service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and left knee disabilities are granted as they may be related to his Gulf War service. However, the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were aggravated by service.,Service connection for headaches is granted on an aggravation basis, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, right hip and knee disorders, bilateral foot disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (presumed due to service connection), peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and dental disorder. The decision also noted that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The right and left knee disabilities are remanded due to conflicting medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders, were not adjudicated in the July 2018 rating decision. The Board has referred these issues to the AOJ for appropriate action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, increased rating for left knee degenerative osteophytosis, and a compensable rating for his left ankle condition are all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, left shoulder disability, right hip and knee disabilities, and PTSD due to new evidence suggesting service connection may be warranted. The VA will conduct additional examinations and seek an addendum opinion regarding the nature of his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as incurred in active duty. The issues of service connection for a left wrist disability, neck disability, bilateral hearing loss, and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability and PTSD due to the need for updated medical records and a new examination.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right foot, knee, and lumbar spine disabilities. The claims for service connection for a right foot disability, as well as increased ratings for his right knee and lumbar spine conditions, are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for TBI was dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for migraines prior to April 2018 was denied, but he received a grant of a 50% rating for migraines from that date onwards.