Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is not productive of actual or functional flexion limited to 30 degrees, extension limited to 10 degrees, lateral instability or recurrent subluxation, ankylosis, impairment of the tibia and fibula, dislocated semilunar cartilage, symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage, or genu recurvatum. Therefore, his claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed. The initial compensable rating for constipation prior to August 27, 2024, and the initial 30 percent rating for constipation from that date onward are granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hemorrhoids remains pending. The appeal regarding left knee disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for adjudication purposes, particularly regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions, hypertension, sinusitis, and rhinitis. The Board is therefore remanding these issues to allow for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities, including limitation of flexion and extension, have been granted effective from June 12, 2013. The effective date is the date of receipt of his claim to reopen.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates related to his bilateral leg conditions.,The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating as of October 6, 2011, based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left leg shin splints, as well as his right and left knee instability, are now rated at a 10 percent disability rating effective September 18, 2019.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service.,The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis is granted as incurred in service and has continued since then.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding his erectile dysfunction, as well as an evaluation of his bilateral knee and wrist disorders without medication.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder, left knee disability, and left eye cortical cataract, have resulted in a combined rating of 80 percent. The appeal is granted as the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of PTSD due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The claim for a higher rating for left knee instability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate secondary service connection opinion and the need for further development regarding obesity as an intermediate step in causing or aggravating sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed back, left ankle, and bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed within one year of the rating decision, and no good cause for extension was presented.

The Veteran's service connection for right knee strain, forehead laceration, migraine headaches, and right hip strains (flexion, extension, and thigh impairment) is granted from August 14, 2023.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, while right ear hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea are denied.,Tinnitus has been granted as service-connected, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis have also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, vertigo, hearing loss, sinusitis, acid reflux, right knee condition, and left knee condition have all been denied. The evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during or as a result of military service.

The appeal for increased ratings on the right knee sprain, left hip strain, and right hip strain issues has been dismissed.,The claim for service connection for fibromyalgia of knees and ankles is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including bilateral eye, foot, hip, low back, and right knee disabilities are denied as there is no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's left knee condition, finding that the evidence does not establish a nexus between the current disability and his military service.,Service connection for high blood pressure is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to tinnitus. The examiner was asked to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that hypertension is aggravated by a service-connected condition.,Service connection for headaches is also remanded, with the same request for an opinion on whether they are aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic right wrist sprain, lumbosacral strain, a right knee disorder (right knee strain, meniscal tear, chondromalacia, and posterosuperior marginal patellar spur), left lower extremity shin splints, and right lower extremity shin splints. These conditions are considered to be directly related to service.