Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's back disorder is granted service connection. The claims for left and right knee disorders, as well as the right ankle disorder, are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, disorder manifested by joint pains, digestive disorder, and back disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal concerning several service connection issues, including for cervical condition, right lower extremity condition, left lower extremity condition, left ankle condition, left plantar fasciitis, lumbar spine back condition, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and to provide the Veteran with a comprehensive examination for his claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, bilateral chronic conjunctivitis and dry eye syndrome, right knee strain, and bilateral pes planus. The remaining claims are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee Baker's cyst due to a predecisional duty-to-assist error, requiring the Veteran to be afforded a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions and a duty to assist error. The Veteran is required to undergo examinations for his right big toe condition, MRSA, and right knee condition.

The Board has restored the Veteran's right knee instability and right knee strain ratings from 0% to 10%. The decision is based on the evidence showing that there was no improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's right knee meniscal tear and patellofemoral compartment osteoarthritis are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board denied an increased rating as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or instability warranting a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disability, finding that it was aggravated by service. The Veteran's condition worsened during his military service.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the September 2021 rating decision and has ordered further development to verify the appellant's alleged active duty Reserve service dates. The issues on appeal are now remanded for readjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for right ankle, left ankle, right knee, left knee, back, neck, and right shoulder disorders. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to low back, left knee, left hip, and right hip disorders have been remanded due to inadequate VA opinions. The Board requires an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's prescription for Rocephin to treat a joint infection following left knee replacement surgery was approved as emergency treatment. The Board found that the medication was necessary and within the scope of what is reimbursable under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders as there is no current diagnosis or symptoms of a knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left knee patellar instability associated with patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied. The earliest date of entitlement found in the record is June 30, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound of the left lower extremity and a left knee disability has been dismissed as moot due to full grants in prior decisions.,Service connection was granted for both conditions from February 2, 2018.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, which were previously denied in an April 2021 rating decision. The TDIU was awarded as part of the same claim that sought increased ratings for the knees.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for prostate cancer. The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied, and his initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded three issues: respiratory condition, bilateral knee disabilities, and sleep condition. The reasons for the remand include failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations and a need for further examination due to participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).