Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a right knee condition are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. Additional medical opinions are needed to address the onset of these conditions in service.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease are all found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The Board finds a need for a VA examination regarding his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for prostate cancer is dismissed. The claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders are readmitted to the Board for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis with shin splints is related to his service-connected right ankle disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding your claim for service connection of a left knee disability due to your withdrawal request.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus, back condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition as there is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted a second annual clothing allowance for the 2020 calendar year due to use of a right knee brace, finding that the Veteran's prescribed right knee brace caused wear and tear to his clothing. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected right knee instability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not result in the need for regular aid and attendance or permanent bedridden status at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disorders are granted. The Board affirms the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee based on continuity of symptomatology since service. Service connection is also granted for right and left ankle disorders but requires further examination to establish a link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left knee disability and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, which is the highest available.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder does not meet or approximate the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating. The closest match to his symptoms is a 70 percent disability rating.

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

The Veteran's increased ratings for his bilateral knee, feet, right hand, wrist, and index finger disabilities were granted effective March 17, 2021. The Board denied earlier effective dates prior to this date.,The Veteran did not file a completed claim seeking entitlement to an increased rating for any of the conditions listed prior to March 17, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to obtain VA medical opinions and examinations prior to the March 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, which preclude locomotion without the aid of a cane. The issue of eligibility for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Board has found that the Veteran did suffer an in-service injury to his bilateral knees, but the VA examination was inadequate. The claims for service connection are remanded and a new examination is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to determine if he has these conditions and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and a left knee disability as secondary to the now service-connected right knee are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, erectile dysfunction, left-hand disability, right knee strain, and left knee strain have been granted. Tinnitus has also been granted as a separate condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, and will need an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.