Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his right knee disability, as well as other conditions such as bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left shoulder disability. The case was remanded for further development regarding entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability and TDIU.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of October 1, 2007 for the Veteran's service connection claims for left knee meniscal tear residuals, left Achilles' tendon rupture, and left ankle scar.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of his disability and determine if there is ankylosis during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the rating of 10 percent has been assigned.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and right hip conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including lumbosacral strain, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, tension headaches, acne, sleep disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), right wrist disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, neurological disorders affecting the lower extremities, and foot disorders. The Board found that none of these conditions warranted a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle, right knee, acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and sleep apnea disabilities due to potential exposure at Camp Lejeune.,VA is required to provide a VA examination and obtain medical opinions regarding the possible nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, right knee, left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and prostate cancer, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted service connection as secondary to his PTSD with bruxism. The left knee disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, and the Board has denied increased ratings for these conditions.,Additionally, the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for pseudofolliculitis barbae and chondromalacia of both knees due to inadequate examination reports and failure to comply with duty-to-assist requirements.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and back conditions have been restored to their previous ratings, while the knee instability issues remain denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee arthritis, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are attributable to the Veteran's in-service knee injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right knee, and back disabilities, all related to in-service parachute jumps.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of the left hand is dismissed as it has already been granted. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for SMC by reason of need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including loss of use of the left hand. However, he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability as there was no evidence of current disability during or approximate to the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for left eye, CTS of the left wrist, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at the lowest possible level (10%) due to their limited functional impairment, with flexion of both knees being limited to 105 degrees.

The Board has determined that the discontinuance of SMC at the housebound rate was improper and has revised the effective date to October 1, 2022. The Veteran's entitlement to SMC benefits is now correct as of this date.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a left wrist disorder. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.