Knee Board decisions

The claims for left and right knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a relationship to service. The claim for herpes was granted with an effective date of March 2, 2020, but the Veteran's appeal seeks an earlier effective date which is denied. The claim for a compensable rating for herpes is denied due to lack of active symptoms and treatment. The claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is also denied as there were no such disabilities during the period in question.

The Veteran's increased ratings for migraine headaches and right knee strain were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected back, left knee, and leg disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance, which renders moot his housebound status claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a back disability are being remanded due to inadequate medical examinations. The AOJ is required to provide the Veteran with VA examinations to determine if his disabilities are related to service, including as due to undiagnosed illness or MUCMI.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to procedural errors. The Board found that a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted for his left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted for his left distal fibular fracture.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions. The Veteran is required to be provided with VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete service records, particularly those from the Veteran's National Guard service. The AOJ is instructed to make further efforts to obtain these records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches is granted. The claims for left and right knee disabilities are denied, as there is no current disability or evidence of a nexus to service. Service connection for the neck disability is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, lumbar strain, and depression. The Board found that it is at least as likely as not that these conditions were caused by the Veteran's service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck pain, back pain, right knee pain, and left knee pain as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of right and left knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for right shoulder, right knee, left knee, and left shoulder conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal of a restoration of a 10 percent disability rating for a left knee painful surgical scar was dismissed due to procedural defects, as the AOJ had already issued a Higher-Level Review decision regarding this issue.

The Veteran's claims for fatigue, sleep apnea, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis have been denied as the submitted evidence is not new and relevant.,For left knee strain and lumbosacral strain (previously claimed as lumbar condition), the claims are remanded due to insufficient nexus opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since March 18, 2020. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 8, 2024 is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence and obtain an addendum medical opinion from the September 2020 VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new opinion regarding the etiology of any currently diagnosed knee disability, as the previous opinion was inadequate.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for right knee arthritis and left knee chondromalacia have been denied as his knee conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher staged initial ratings for acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee limitation of extension with degenerative joint disease, meniscal tear, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and scar, right knee limitation of extension with degenerative joint disease, meniscal tear, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and scar, and entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation purposes due to individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The VA examinations were not adequate in addressing pain during range of motion testing. Additional evidence is needed to determine if there is any loss of function due to pain.