Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is denied due to lack of evidence supporting such a condition during or after his military service.,Service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease was granted, but an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent prior to May 21, 2013 is not warranted based on the evidence provided.,Service connection for left knee medial meniscus tear with MCL bursitis was granted, but a higher initial disability rating than 10 percent is not supported by the evidence.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, arising from lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease, was granted. However, an earlier effective date of October 8, 2014, is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for right knee degenerative joint disease and stress fracture, sleep apnea, and a right shoulder disability (secondary to left shoulder disability) have been reopened. The service connection for these conditions has not been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as the effective date cannot be earlier than December 17, 2002 due to lack of entitlement prior to that date. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU at any point during the appeal period and is only eligible for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate or insufficient examinations in the record.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a higher evaluation for DJD of the left knee, and a higher evaluation for left medial meniscectomy with moderate instability.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, but the right and left knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions of hypertension, Sjogren’s syndrome, bilateral hip disability, neck disability, back disability, asthma, bilateral CTS, left knee disorder, and seizures are all granted. The claims for a bilateral shoulder disability, IBS, and TMJ syndrome have been denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and failure to address additional functional loss during flare-ups or after repetitive use.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent, and his bilateral knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The claims for higher ratings are denied.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for left knee arthritis, including as due to his service-connected right knee disability, was granted. The claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities are being remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection of a back disorder was granted. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s back disorder developed as a result of an in-service fall, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded five issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a right shoulder disability, bilateral hand disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and mild scoliosis of the thoracolumbar spine. The reasons include the need for additional VA examinations and potentially relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for various conditions and an increased rating for radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been dismissed. The Board has granted a 20% rating for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, effective from when the decision was made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability (secondary to the claimed right knee disability), and bilateral eye disability due to incomplete development. The claims will be further developed with additional examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right tibia fracture, a right knee disability, left knee strain, right hip strain, and left foot conditions. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a link between his claimed conditions and service, or that they began in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for his left knee condition, right hip condition, major depressive disorder, and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his right lower extremity radiculopathy and femoral radiculopathy are each rated at 20 percent. The depression rating remains at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, hip, knee, ankle, shoulder and arm, elbow, wrist, and psychiatric conditions. The issues have been recharacterized to reflect the benefit sought by the Veteran on appeal.