Knee Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of left and right knee disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's current knee disabilities may be associated with service, but further examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in providing notice of a right to a hearing before the initial decision was issued.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Board has granted a rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected transient ischemic attack (TIA) and denied all other claims, including those related to left knee disability, hyperlipidemia, vasectomy, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The effective date is set at January 19, 2023.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple knee and ankle conditions due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for flat feet due to untimely filing of a VA Form 10182. The claim for a compensable disability rating for left inguinal hernia was denied, and the claim for service connection for left knee is remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, left knee condition, and right knee condition are not shown to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral heel spurs. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for his right knee osteochondral trochlea lesion and associated scars have been denied. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at March 19, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance were denied as there was no factual basis to grant earlier effective dates, with the exception of a 10% increase in disability rating for tinnitus from October 29, 2017. The Board found that the Veteran did not become unemployable within one year prior to October 29, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of migraine headaches, right lower extremity neuropathy, or left lower extremity neuropathy. The Veteran's service treatment records show complaints of headaches and back pain but no diagnoses of these conditions.,For his heart condition and defibrillator implant, the Board finds that an addendum opinion is needed to address whether there is a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his service-connected hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a revision of an October 1990 rating decision that initially denied service connection for left knee traumatic arthritis, finding no clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The correct facts were known at the time, and the rules then in effect supported the denial.

The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded for further review due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Board finds that the evidence does not show a proximate cause of additional disability from VA medical or educational services, but acknowledges there may be fault on the part of VA in providing care and treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, including sedentary employment. The Board grants a TDIU based on the combined evaluation of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant as they do not result in anatomical loss, blindness, or significant functional impairment that would qualify under the applicable regulations.

The Board has remanded both service connection claims for a back condition and a left knee condition due to the inadequacy of medical opinions and missing relevant records.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include GAD and insomnia. The claim for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was denied due to a lack of evidence linking the current condition to service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include GAD and insomnia, is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's left knee disability is being reviewed again to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided in this remand do not comply with the requirements set forth in previous remands. The Veteran's right knee conditions, including traumatic arthritis and instability, as well as his status post total right knee replacement, are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran needs to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination to support his claim.