Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, PTSD, right foot peripheral neuropathy, a right foot great toe fracture, and right knee disability have been denied. The claim for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee arthritis, which includes painful flexion and limited extension, was denied. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for the painful left knee extension.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee conditions. The Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to duty-to-assist errors and will consider any new evidence in its decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the service-connected right knee meniscal tear, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee tendonitis and right knee tendonitis, finding that it is at least as likely as not that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which includes degenerative arthritis and a history of fracture, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support an increase in rating beyond this level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee strain is secondary to his service-connected bilateral hallux valgus, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to May 5, 2021, for a 20 percent rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The evidence did not show that the increase in disability occurred before this date.

The Board has remanded the claims for tension headaches, TMJ disorder, and right knee strain due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee joint osteoarthritis due to a lack of complete medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are rated at the minimum 10 percent level due to limited range of motion, but not more. The Board finds no evidence warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to 'Valley fever' at Camp Roberts in June 1989, which is foundational to his current claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by his service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other conditions. As such, the claim for service connection for OSA is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Parkinson's Disease, a left knee disability, and depression as secondary to Parkinson's Disease due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including headaches, ankle, foot, hip, back, knee, shin, and neurological issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for an effective date earlier than May 1, 2020 for the assignment of a 60 percent disability rating for the service-connected right total knee arthroplasty and for the grant of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The remand is due to issues with the adequacy of the January 2020 VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, as he does not have a loss of use of his feet, hands, vision impairment, burn injury, ALS, or ankylosis of knees or hips.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted as secondary to his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome, right knee with degenerative changes and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis with chronic sinusitis is granted at a 30% evaluation effective February 5, 2020.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, OSA, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability claims are denied.