Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational history.

The Board has denied service connection for external hemorrhoids, left ankle condition, limb pain left lower leg, limb pain right lower leg, right knee pain, and testicular hypofunction as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated as TDIU effective February 21, 2024.,SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective February 21, 2024.,An initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied.,A higher rating of hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of October 16, 2017. The Board granted an effective date of this date for his TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthmatic bronchitis has been granted with an effective date of September 19, 2019. The other claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthroplasty right knee, sleep apnea, and skin rash due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's low back disability, associated with a torn medial meniscus of the left knee, is rated at 40 percent prior to March 9, 2023. From that date forward, his condition does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, hypertension, a heart disorder (atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease status post CABG), right knee amputation, and left knee amputation all related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee/leg, right knee/leg, and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to a lack of adequate medical opinion addressing the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in assigning simultaneous evaluations for right knee replacement and limitation of extension, and because a final rating action is needed regarding these issues.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for left total knee replacement, left knee limitation of flexion, and painful left knee scar are all denied. The maximum rating for left total knee replacement is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective June 15, 2021, due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors prior to the September 2022 rating decision on appeal. The Veteran's left knee disability is related to service, including a fall while skiing.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50 percent evaluation, effective December 2, 2021. The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is denied any increase in rating. The Veteran's right shoulder strain and left knee strains are both denied any increase in ratings. The Veteran's meningitis and urine leakage as a residual of meningitis are granted increased evaluations. Special monthly compensation for housebound status and TDIU based on single service-connected disability are granted. An earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 USC chapter 35 is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's right knee disability with obesity. The left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, and left knee disability claims are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ankle strain is accepted, and the appeal in this respect is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for left knee disability, as secondary to bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and/or a left ankle disability, is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability meeting VA standards.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinion obtained in October 2023 is inadequate and constitutes a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for infection and inflammatory reaction due to internal right knee prosthesis, due to treatment by VA, is remanded.

The Veteran's dementia is being remanded for an additional medical opinion to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's right knee condition and left knee condition are both being remanded for additional medical opinions to determine their etiologies.