Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension was not diagnosed during the appeal period, and there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's left lower extremity nerve disorder and right knee disorder were not diagnosed during the appeal period, and there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left knee injury was dismissed because the Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was filed after one year from the July 2010 rating decision and on an improper form.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or continuity of symptomatology since service. The Veteran's claims are based on his in-service noise exposure and work-related activities, but the Board did not find a causal relationship between these factors and his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a failure by the AOJ to provide notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing before the AOJ issued its initial decision. The AOJ is instructed to correct this error by providing the Veteran with notice of her right to a hearing.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities and shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection claims for right ankle, foot, and knee disabilities are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his ability to maintain significant independence in daily activities.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied.,Service connection for a left knee condition is also denied.

The Veteran's right knee residual scars, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are all granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee injury.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, including right knee strain, instability, chondromalacia, and meniscal damage. The Board found that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee condition, which he claims is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee scar disability and limitation of flexion were granted service connection with effective dates of September 10, 2020.,Restoration of the 10% evaluations for these conditions was denied as of April 19, 2022, for the right knee scar disability, and March 21, 2022, for the limitation of flexion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a lack of medical opinions addressing the likely nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including whether they are related to military service or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sciatic nerve conditions and gout-related disabilities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined rating of 80% due to these service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease. The low back disability is being remanded as there was no opinion on whether it is aggravated by a service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for service-connected right knee and left hip disabilities due to concerns about the ameliorative effects of medication. Additionally, a remand is required to obtain private medical records from Drs. Dorman, Bowen, and Reagan.

The Veteran's service connection claims for arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee strain, and diabetes mellitus are granted. The claim for fibromyalgia is denied. The Veteran's left knee strain rating is maintained at 10 percent.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation at the rate specified in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1) (SMC R-1) effective July 12, 2017 due to his service-connected osteopathic joint disabilities and acquired psychiatric disorder requiring constant need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, as his current ratings reflect the impairment caused by these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee brace, used to treat his service-connected right knee arthritis and laxity, tended to cause wear and tear on his pants in the 2021 calendar year. The Board granted an annual clothing allowance for this reason.