Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disabilities, including arthritis, strain, and instability, are related to his active-duty service. However, due to insufficient medical opinions provided by the AOJ, a new examination is required to determine if these conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia status post plica surgery due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for his left knee instability, and he should be afforded another VA examination to correct this pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error in failing to obtain an adequate examination. The Veteran's conditions are related to his military service, but there is no evidence of chronicity of care.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions and further development is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to perform daily activities of living without the assistance of another, and he meets the requirements for aid and attendance from another. As a result, his claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee Baker's cyst, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for entitlement to service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA opinions and missing medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of evidence and an inadequate VA examination, which may affect the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his obesity, which in turn is due to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine, degenerative disc and joint disease; residuals of right ACL instability; right hip strain with osteoarthritis; left knee degenerative arthritis; right knee instability; and right tibial stress fracture. The Board has granted the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, earaches, anxiety, depression, insomnia, hip conditions, shoulder conditions, hand and knee arthritis, lumbago, plantar fasciitis, and upper extremity radiculopathy. The evidence did not support a finding of current disability or a link to service for any condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions. The appeals are not granted as there is no current disability found by VA.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine, right and left knee conditions, migraines, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo with dizziness and staggering, urinary dysfunction, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral pes planus with degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's statements and medical opinions supported these findings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities. The right knee disability, neck disability, and major depressive disorder claims are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.,The Board has also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder due to a lack of sufficient medical opinion regarding its onset during service.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle osteoarthritis, left ankle disorder, right knee condition, and neck condition due to lack of evidence showing a chronic disability in service or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis, as well as the Veteran's claim of secondary OSA to his PTSD. The case is remanded for an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's OSA is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection.,The left ankle condition is denied as not related to military service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot, left knee, right knee, and left foot conditions due to a lack of adequate opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a lack of service treatment records and other relevant medical evidence. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all available VA treatment records prior to 1999, as well as any pre-surgery, during surgery, and post-surgery medical records related to the Veteran's total knee replacement procedures in and around 2004.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral flat feet was dismissed as the benefit sought has already been granted in full. The claims of entitlement to service connection for a left knee condition and sinusitis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder condition, right knee condition, and low back condition due to insufficient medical opinions in the October 2020 VA examinations.