Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, left knee strain, and right knee strain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected PTSD and these conditions.

The Board has denied a higher than 10 percent rating for left knee instability, as the Veteran's instability does not present itself frequently enough to approximate moderate or severe instability.

The Board has remanded the appeal for further development to obtain additional VA and non-VA treatment records, clarify the Veteran's service status during a deployment in Kuwait, and attempt to obtain any relevant private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder, back, and right knee disorders due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran's symptoms post-service are also considered.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 1, 2010 for the Veteran's entitlement to TDIU on an extra-schedular basis based on the evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as of that date.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 25, 2017 and May 30, 2018 for left total knee replacement and right hip scar, respectively, are denied. The claim for extension of a temporary total rating beyond July 1, 2018 is also denied. A compensable rating for the right hip scar is not granted. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability are also REMANDED.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for a left knee meniscal tear, and as such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition as secondary to his service-connected left knee tendonitis, patellofemoral pain syndrome and chondromalacia patella with instability, and left ankle achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, left ankle disabilities, right ankle disabilities, left knee disability, and left little finger disability. The evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's hip and knee conditions have been evaluated, but the claims for increased ratings are denied as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or instability that warrants a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in the need for aid and attendance as he required care or assistance on a regular basis to feed himself, keep himself clean and presentable, protect him from hazards, and manage his medications.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to decide the service connection claims for right knee disability and thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's appeal of OSA remains remanded.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is being remanded due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the appellant's request for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the January 2023 rating decision, as this decision was an initial decision with respect to a new claim for increased ratings submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle disorder, left knee disorder, and chronic inflammatory disease of the uterus with infertility due to a lack of current diagnoses. The Veteran's service treatment records show a diagnosis in 2019 but no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various ankle, shoulder, wrist, and knee conditions have been denied as there is no current evidence of these disabilities.

The Veteran's request for an extension of the temporary total disability rating for his right knee replacement is denied because the medical evidence does not support severe postoperative residuals or major joint immobilization.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and reduction of disability ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal from appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, ocular migraines, neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, and Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the left knee. The Board found no evidence that these conditions were related to active service.