Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted a revision of the April 6, 2021 decision to reflect an earlier effective date of February 5, 2012 for the grant of individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU). The Veteran's TDIU claim was inferred during the course of his appeal for service connection claims.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities did not begin during service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for right shin splints and chronic sinusitis.,Service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.,Service connection for a respiratory condition, heat stroke, bilateral ear infections, heart condition, migraine headaches, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded for further development.,,,,,,,,

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands the cases for further action.

The Veteran's left knee instability was granted a rating of 10 percent prior to February 7, 2021. From that date, the Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia and degenerative arthritis with painful motion are both denied ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot, right foot, left knee, right knee, left shoulder, and lumbar conditions due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, post-total knee arthroplasty with tendonitis, are rated at 60 percent each. The decision grants higher initial ratings for both knees.

The Board has determined that there are duty to assist errors and the Veteran's claims for service connection related to his bilateral foot and knee disabilities need further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee or back disability, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including high cholesterol, snoring, fatigue, insomnia, hearing loss, chronic left hip pain, and cerumen impaction (claimed as chronic ear infection), have been denied. The Board has also remanded several other issues related to knee conditions, shoulder conditions, migraine headaches, and overactive bladder.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right ankle, left ankle, left knee, and right knee.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Board finds the Veteran's sleep apnea claim must be remanded due to inadequate opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's statements, personnel record, and a fellow servicemember's statement support the need for a VA examination to determine if his current knee disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disability and acne due to insufficient evidence in the record. The left knee and stomach ulcers claims are denied as there is no objective medical evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee condition, and a left hip condition. The evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. His GERD is also granted with an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's temporary total evaluation for right knee surgery from August 2, 2021 to December 31, 2021 is granted as he met the criteria for a 100% rating following his total right knee replacement.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board has found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, plantar fascitis, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, chronic bronchitis, left knee strain, right knee strain, lumbosacral strain, pes planus, or leg length discrepancy.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right hip disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is granted as service-connected.,An initial non-compensable rating for allergic rhinitis remains unchanged.,An initial non-compensable rating for sinusitis remains unchanged.