Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee DJD and asthma, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's current diagnoses of hypertension have not been addressed due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression, are granted as service connected. The low back disability and bilateral knee disabilities are denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of service connection for a right knee disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The VA has remanded for further examinations and evaluations of the Veteran's knees, feet, back, and hips.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical records and a review of the claim. The Veteran's left knee disability is not service-connected as there are no records showing it was aggravated in service, but the records do show treatment for osteochondritis dessicans prior to 1977.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder and right knee disorder. The appeal regarding a back disorder is remanded.

This case involves multiple issues including an earlier effective date for bilateral pes planus, service connection for tinnitus with consideration of CUE in a 1977 rating decision, and ratings for right and left knee disabilities. The Board has remanded these matters due to the need for further action.,An earlier effective date is denied for the increased evaluation of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus as it was not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred within one year prior to the claim filing on January 14, 2013. The Veteran's contention regarding tinnitus service connection is also denied due to lack of a formal or informal communication indicating intent to apply for service connection before June 14, 2010.,Right and left knee disabilities are remanded as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include right shoulder, back, bilateral knee disorders, and initial rating for right ankle strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for polycystic kidney disease has been reopened. The ratings for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee disability, major depressive disorder, erectile dysfunction, and headaches. The decision is based on direct service connection as there are no allegations or evidence suggesting a presumption-based claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive and restrictive pulmonary disease with sleep apnea is granted, effective June 15, 2005. The effective date of the grant of TDIU is also set at August 15, 2003.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records development. The issues of service connection for left hip, bilateral knee conditions, and an increased rating for lumbosacral strain are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, left knee, and sleep apnea disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The current rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.

The reduction from a 50 percent rating for hearing loss to zero percent was proper. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, left foot, right foot, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disorders are remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions, including Lyme disease, respiratory disability, endocarditis, gall bladder condition, chronic diarrhea, urinary stricture, and joint pain. Service connection was granted for a neurological disability due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, carpal tunnel syndrome of the hands, low back disorder, hypertension, varicose veins, pulmonary sarcoidosis, and left foot disorder are all remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, right ankle disorder, right knee disorder, right foot disorder (pes planus), and right varicose veins are not addressed as they do not involve secondary service connection.

The Veteran's right knee replacement has been rated at 30 percent since July 1, 2012. The VA examiner found no more than normal range of motion and no instability, resulting in a denial of the claim for a higher rating.