Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's hair loss, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disability, back disability, and left shoulder disability have been granted service connection. The rating for tinnitus has also been granted at a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since September 1, 2009 and increased to 30 percent effective October 9, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left elbow and left knee disabilities, as well as diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee condition must be reconsidered on the merits rather than as a petition to reopen. Service connection is granted for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, but the issue of service connection for sleep apnea requires further examination and evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee surgery has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a more adequate medical opinion regarding the effect of his back and knee braces on his clothing.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of diabetes mellitus, type II; basal cell carcinoma (claimed as skin cancer); right hip disorder; right knee disorder; and right ankle disorders has been dismissed. The remaining claims for service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability has worsened since his last VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted during the appeal were insufficient and remands the case for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to June 10, 2008 was denied as the evidence did not show that he had difficulty obtaining and retaining employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability was incurred during his service, and he is now entitled to a 50% initial rating for his recurrent headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine, right knee, and right ankle disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his in-service helicopter crash. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has granted an extension of a temporary total evaluation for convalescence due to surgery related to the service-connected right knee disability from May 25, 2012 to November 30, 2013. The Veteran's need for convalescence was established by his medical records and testimony.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional evaluations due to the lack of compliance with Correia and Sharp requirements.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's knee disabilities are being reviewed again as they may be related to his service.

The Veteran's request for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee degenerative joint disease status post right knee replacement is pending. The Board has remanded the case to obtain updated VA treatment records from May 2017 to the present at the Hampton VAMC, including any emergency treatment received and x-ray reports for the left knee.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, asthma, and left knee pain. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s knee pain.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for frostbite of the feet was denied. The claims for left knee disorder and right ear hearing loss were granted.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and lumbosacral spine disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service.,Service connection was also denied for arthritis of the left knee due to lack of evidence showing a diagnosis within one year post-service.