Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to consider all relevant evidence. The Veteran's PTSD, back disability, bilateral foot disability, cervical strain, left knee condition, right parapatella tendonitis and patellar tendonosis (claimed as knee condition), left shoulder tenosynovitis, and sleep apnea are being reviewed.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective December 17, 2020. The Board found that the Veteran met the criteria for these benefits as of August 8, 2019, but no earlier.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for an inflammatory bowel disorder and increased rating for right thumb strain. The left knee osteoarthritis case is denied as the Veteran's disability does not warrant a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease with urinary problems and related conditions, have rendered him unable to ambulate without the aid of assistive devices. As a result, he is entitled to a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The Board has found that the AOJ erred in not adjudicating the Veteran's increased rating claim for left knee DJD with limitation of flexion prior to April 8, 2021. The case is therefore remanded for further action.

The Veteran's left hip limitation of extension is granted a 10 percent rating from June 14, 2021. The ratings for left ear hearing loss, right foot neuropathy, left foot neuropathy, right great toe scar, and left great toe scar are denied. A compensable rating for right knee scars is also denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for back pain and degenerative knee disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of her left knee disability, finding that there is no persuasive evidence to support a nexus between her current condition and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 22, 2008, for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted. The Board found that the Veteran has needed regular aid and attendance since at least February 22, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development, including obtaining TRICARE records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee soreness is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a left knee disability.,A rating of 20 percent, but no higher, is granted for the Veteran's left foot tenosynovitis due to moderate functional impairment caused by pain and flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The decision does not specify the exact reasons for denial, but it is clear that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, low back disability, and gastrointestinal disability (GERD) as secondary to his right knee and back disabilities. The Board found that there is no nexus between the current disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's left knee disorder and RUE radiculopathy were not incurred or aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms in the immediate years after service. The Board denied service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran's urinary urgency was rated at 40 percent under DC 7542 due to daytime voiding intervals less than one hour and nighttime awakenings more than three times, but he did not require absorbent materials or an appliance.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's claim for his left knee disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a left knee disability, while his right knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right knee or right shoulder disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The case must be remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has any current disabilities of the right shoulder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including above the right knee amputation and diabetic peripheral neuropathies of both lower extremities, render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities without assistance. The Board has granted SMC at the R-1 rate.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, hair loss, penile disability, hypertension, heart disability, knee disabilities, and wrist disabilities. The appeals were remanded for further action on some issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100 percent rating, and his left total knee arthroplasty residuals are granted a 60 percent rating prior to November 8, 2021, with no higher. The Veteran's request for a TDIU is remanded.