Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher rating for left knee disability is denied. The effective date for the award of service connection is set at October 28, 2018.

The Veteran's arthritis, low back disability, and right upper extremity neuropathy were not incurred in or caused by service.,A 30 percent rating for cluster headaches (formerly tension headaches) is granted as of July 16, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee strains due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 3, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran had a high rating for his Meniere's disease and sleep apnea but was capable of performing employment duties.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, lower back (bulged disc), and tinnitus conditions due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran must be provided with VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for right knee instability from February 7, 2021 is dismissed because the issue was already pending in the Legacy system and addressed by a previous Board decision.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions, including migraines, urinary dysfunction, and knee and spine issues, due to an impermissible concurrent election under 38 C.F.R. § 3.2500(b).

The Veteran's claims for service connection of adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and left knee degenerative arthritis were granted effective June 1, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain an opinion on whether the service-connected right knee disability aggravated the Veteran's left knee degenerative osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, including STRs from his National Guard service. The Veteran is also seeking a higher rating for gastritis and an examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of all foot disorders, hepatitis C, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's chronic sinusitis warrants a rating of 30 percent, but not higher. The left knee instability and meniscal tear issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities that affect his mobility and require a wheelchair and assistive devices.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's service-connected somatic symptom disorder and degenerative knee disorder caused him to become obese, which was a substantial factor in causing his current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees, finding that symptoms were chronic in service and continuous since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause an impairment in his ability to obtain, maintain, or retain suitable employment. The Board found that the Veteran had overcome any impairment of employability due to his service-connected disabilities and was therefore not entitled to VR&E services.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a right knee disability and sleep apnea because he did not timely file his VA Form 10182, which is required to appeal these decisions. The Board found that good cause had not been shown to extend the filing deadline.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and procedural errors. The appellant's claims for service connection are not legally sufficient as he is not service-connected for his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and left knee conditions, finding no evidence of a relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and consideration of his claims regarding knee disabilities, hip pain, and service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, finding that his pre-existing conditions were aggravated during service.