Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, but denied service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The decision is based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's current left knee pain had its onset in service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to incomplete records and inaccurate medical history provided in previous examinations.

The Board denied service connection for right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any other relevant factor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left and right knee chondromalacia due to inadequate statement of reasons and bases in the previous decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including frequent episodes of locking, pain, and swelling, is now rated at a separate 20 percent effective from August 16, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the claims of service connection for back, right elbow, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities (left and right) have been denied. The separate rating assigned under DC 5257 for left knee strain was properly discontinued, as were the separate rating assigned under DC 5257 for right knee ACL tear with strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The appeals will be adjudicated based on the evidence of record, which could include denial of the benefits sought.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and foot disorders were not present during active duty, did not manifest within one year of service, and are not attributable to service.,Bilateral pes planus was identified as a pre-existing disability on entry into active duty, but the condition was not aggravated beyond its natural progression in service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for OSA is denied. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to a lack of verification of exposure to herbicides/Agent Orange, as well as incomplete verification of in-service stressors. The Veteran's mental health disorder claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for various conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for restrictive lung disease, as his FEV-1 was within the range of 71 to 80 percent predicted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee strain to include degenerative arthritis has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew the appeal through their authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was denied as she did not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss.,Service connection and an initial rating of 30 percent were granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease, effective May 8, 2019.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is dismissed.,The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches is dismissed.,The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for sciatica (left lower extremity radiculopathy) is dismissed.,The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for cervical strain is dismissed.,The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for left knee strain is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim has been rendered moot due to the combined schedular disability rating of 100 percent. His DEA benefits were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hand condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis.,The Veteran's BHL was rated at 0% initially, with Level I hearing acuity in both ears.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection, while his right and left knee disabilities are denied.