Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, right knee disability, and bilateral knee disability were denied. An effective date earlier than March 24, 2021 for the assignment of service connection for these disabilities is also denied.,An effective date earlier than October 12, 2015 for the assignment of a disability rating of 20 percent for a cervical spine disability was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability has been readjudicated, but the evidence does not support the claim as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service occurrence.,Service connection for a low back disability was denied due to lack of relevant new and relevant evidence. The Veteran's post-service treatment records do not show any complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of a low back disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable. The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, left foot condition, and left ankle condition due to a duty to assist error.,The Veteran's right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, left foot condition, and left ankle disability are being remanded as well.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a lack of current diagnoses or evidence of functional impairment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee strain with iliotibial band syndrome and shin splints, chronic sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), myopia, erectile dysfunction, right upper extremity nerve damage, left upper extremity nerve damage, cervical spine disability, sleep apnea, bilateral plantar fasciitis, migraines, shaving bumps, dry skin, and irritable bowel syndrome have been granted. The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent effective April 19, 2021, with a higher rating denied. An earlier effective date of April 19, 2021, but no earlier, is granted for the grant of service connection for left knee strain with iliotibial band syndrome and shin splints (limitation of extension), chronic sinusitis, and GERD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support a link between his current knee conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a separate initial rating of 30 percent for left knee instability is granted, but the issue of increased rating for right knee disability to include a separate rating for instability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and left knee disability, with obesity serving as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of extension. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show more than limited motion, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5261. Effective October 30, 2020, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a duty to assist error. A new VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current knee disabilities are related to her military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left knee disability, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service.,Both the private medical opinion from Dr. C. C. and the VA examiner provided opinions supporting the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent evaluation of his right knee condition has been dismissed due to the Veteran's passing before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current left knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and a heart disability due to service. The claims are being reviewed because of potential errors in obtaining relevant private treatment records and VA examinations, as well as the need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected back disability or contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted with an effective date of September 13, 2017. The Board found that the Veteran met the requirements for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders since this date.,The Veteran is now eligible for DEA benefits starting from September 13, 2017, as his TDIU claim was granted earlier than previously.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment. The VA examinations do not provide sufficient detail on the impact of his service-connected mental health condition on his employability.

The Veteran's right knee arthroplasty is being remanded due to a pre-decisional error in the February 2022 decision, specifically regarding the determination of whether his osteoarthritis was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression), allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, neck disability, colostomy, diverticulosis, bilateral foot condition, heart disability, hemorrhoids, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, back disability, colon polyps, prostate disability, and vertigo were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a causal relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his back and knee disabilities. The claims of entitlement to service connection for the right and left knee disabilities are remanded.