Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's sleep apnea, right and left knee disabilities, psychiatric disability, heart disability, and GI disability are all remanded for further development.

The Board denied higher ratings for service-connected right knee disability, inguinal hernia, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's failure to respond or cooperate with scheduling VA examinations resulted in the denial of these claims as a matter of law.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding the expertise of the examiner for a right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's home modifications and equipment purchases are necessary to enable him to function more independently in his family and community without assistance, or with a reduced level of assistance.,However, additional equipment purchases and/or home modifications, such as an overhead cover for a wheelchair lift at the front of the home, a cover over the front walk, installation of a central air conditioning system, an addition to the home to include installation of a new bathroom downstairs, extension of the rear of the main bedroom to create space for a walk-in closet and a work-out room on the floor below; and creating access to an existing outdoor kitchen located near the pool area, are not necessary.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not necessitate these additional modifications.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities as there was no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following active service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10% for limitation of flexion and a separate 10% rating for instability. The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran experienced an in-service head injury, which may affect his entitlement to TDIU prior to May 10, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities and a temporary total evaluation due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, right knee chondromalacia patella, and residuals of crushed injury to the third and fourth digits of the right hand were all denied as not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted, as he requires assistance with daily living activities due to his medical conditions.

The Board granted service connection for GERD, sinus headaches, right and left lower extremity neuropathy, pseudofolliculitis barbae of the skin, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for back, left knee, right knee, and sleep apnea conditions as secondary to service-connected foot disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to errors in obtaining VA treatment records and opinions. The Veteran is entitled to bilateral hearing loss, but not to left ear hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis. Service connection is granted for plantar warts of the feet. The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed regarding his knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's competent statements about continuity of symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left knee, insomnia, and right ear hearing loss disorders as well as a higher initial disability rating for left ear hearing loss. The appeals for separate stomach and gastrointestinal disorders were also denied.

The Board denied the motion for revision of the June 3, 2010, Rating Decision based on clear and unmistakable error.

The Board denied service connection for multiple disorders, including right and left hip, right knee, right shoulder, left hand (finger), left elbow, vision impairment, thyroid cancer, psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), separate psychiatric disorder, neck muscle spasms, left shoulder muscle spasms, and a left knee sprain.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle, left ankle, back, and left knee disabilities as they were not etiologically related to the Veteran's active service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to determine the current diagnosis and etiology of the Veteran's left knee condition, considering both direct service connection and secondary causation or aggravation by her service-connected right knee condition.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding no in-service injury or chronic symptoms to establish a link between the current condition and military service.