Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee meniscus tear is causally related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection claims due to procedural issues, as well as denied his claim of a reduction in PTSD rating. The appeal was not addressed further.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed and the case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is established for bilateral lower and upper peripheral neuropathy, with effective dates prior to March 7, 2013.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for the grants of service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are September 24, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are caused by his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of DJD of the right knee during service and that this condition is related to service. As such, the claim for service connection for DJD of the right knee is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and no decision on the merits of the service connection claim for a left knee/leg disorder was made.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was granted effective October 28, 2003. The earliest date of entitlement is more than one year prior to the date of claim.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period prior to August 11, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The temporary total evaluation based on a service-connected disability requiring a period of convalescence (total temporary evaluation) is denied as there is no service connection for a cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for right knee degenerative changes was granted, but the current appeal is about his status post-right knee medial meniscectomy. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating from March 9, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination of the Veteran's left knee and consideration of any new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected lumbosacral strain, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the bilateral knees, and hemorrhoids were denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for VA examinations.,For the period prior to February 19, 2014, the Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied because he failed to provide good cause for refusing VA examination requests.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.,Regarding the left knee disability, the Board finds no nexus between the current diagnosis of patella fracture with chondromalacia and meniscus tear and events in service. Service connection for this issue is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the issues related to left knee patellofemoral degenerative joint disease, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, bilateral metatarsalgia, and hypertension prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for initial review of new evidence and further adjudication. The Veteran's claims for service connection on various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected dizziness is rated at 30 percent prior to July 17, 2013. The Veteran's IBS is rated as noncompensable under DC 8873-7319. Service connection for PTSD with depression and chronic fatigue syndrome are granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, a cervical spine disability, and joint pain in the knees, elbows, neck, and fingers. The appeal is dismissed as to the left shoulder cyst.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus was granted with resolution of doubt in favor of the Veteran.