Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left knee disability has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran is seeking effective dates prior to the assigned ratings for his service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, as well as PTSD. The Board finds that no earlier effective dates are warranted due to lack of factual ascertainability.,For the increased rating claims, there is no evidence of an increase in disability prior to the assigned effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's left knee disability and because additional records are needed. The Veteran is requested to obtain an addendum opinion from Dr. Marcos.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, PTSD), bilateral foot disorder, cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee/leg disorder, left knee/leg disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The Board found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA medical records and examination reports, the Board finds no current disability of a right or left knee and concludes that any knee symptoms experienced during service were not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as the Veteran has passed away.

The Veteran's right and left knee retropatellar pain syndromes are currently rated at 10 percent each, effective April 30, 2008. For the period prior to this date, both knees were rated based on flexion limited to no more than 80 degrees.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to right knee strain, low back disorder, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and testing related to his right knee disability, specifically regarding range of motion and meniscal condition.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right fourth finger arthritis. The claim for service connection of his left knee condition is also granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his active military service, and therefore grants service connection for a right knee disability, including as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities pre-existed service and were not aggravated by service. As a result, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination in determining whether the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his service-connected right foot disability, and for further development of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a need for regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation. Additionally, the Veteran meets criteria for financial assistance to purchase an automobile with necessary adaptive equipment due to his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board denied service connection for sarcoidosis and found that an effective date of March 17, 2013 is warranted for the increased rating of 20% for a lateral meniscal tear of the left knee.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for left knee disability and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's right knee disability is not considered to have caused or aggravated his current left shoulder condition.