Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are being considered. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for right and left knee disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of aid and attendance, warranting SMC at the aid and attendance rate.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition, back condition, and bilateral big toe condition. The claim for bilateral hip condition is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's upper and low back disabilities are found to be related to service, while his right knee and foot disabilities are also found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current respiratory, right knee, or left knee disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis was first diagnosed during active duty service and is presumed to have been incurred in service. The right knee disability and low back disability are not directly related to service, but may be caused or aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability and an ulcer disease, but reopened these claims. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is not supported by evidence showing a current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not manifest in service and is not related to service. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right knee disability, finding that the June 11, 2002, filing was the earliest valid claim to reopen a previously denied claim in April 1971.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his military service. The remaining claims of service connection for other conditions are remanded for additional development.

The Board finds that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral spinal facet orthropathy and degenerative changes, and thus denies this issue.

Throughout the initial rating period from January 3, 2007 to May 11, 2017, the service-connected TBI residuals were asymptomatic.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder aggravated his left knee disorder. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee, as well as right and left hip disabilities are service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected painful motion of the right knee and medial collateral ligament strain have not met the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes. The Board finds that her symptoms do not warrant an increased disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, claimed as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and left knee disability are not service-connected, as they did not result from carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on VA's part. The Veteran's claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA medical examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee retropatellar arthralgia and its impact on his range of motion.