Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability, acne, pseudofolliculitis barbae, knee disabilities, hip disabilities, and sinusitis. The reasons for remand include the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder. The claims of service connection for fibromyalgia, sciatica, lower back disability, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder are also remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's Notice of Disagreement was validly initiated despite using an incorrect form, and thus granted his claims for disorders of the right knee and left knee.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and potential toxic exposure. The claims will be reviewed with consideration of any TERA at Fort McClellan.

The Veteran's death has led to the dismissal of all service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and medical opinions to determine if service connection can be granted for right knee disability and left knee disability as secondary to a right knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD and associated mental health disabilities have been manifested by impairment with deficiencies in most areas including work, family life, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board denied the claim for a disability rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD but granted entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and hand/knee disabilities have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or functional impairment supporting these claims.

The Veteran's depression symptoms have not reached a level of near-continuous panic or depression affecting her ability to function independently, appropriately, and effectively. The Veteran maintains her personal hygiene, can manage her financial affairs, has intact judgment and thinking, and has established effective relationships with family members.,For the period on appeal, the Veteran's right knee extension was 15 degrees during flare-ups and with repeated use over time, meeting the criteria for a 20 percent rating under DC 5261.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee chondromalacia was denied as the evidence did not show extension limited to more than 20 degrees.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left shoulder condition was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion of the arm at shoulder level or to 25 degrees from side.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in the prior rating decision. The AOJ will need to obtain updated medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during service, their relationship to his military duties, and any potential toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) related to Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of July 20, 2017, for service connection of right knee osteoarthritis with strain and meniscus tear. The decision found that the claim was continuously pursued from this date.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent.,The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, lower back, and sleep apnea disabilities due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal in its entirety, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's left knee limitation of extension and right knee limitation of extension ratings were restored.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee painful motion was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and left below-the-knee amputation rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is the basis for SMC. The Board granted this benefit.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, hearing loss disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including patellar tendonitis, as well as his traumatic brain injury and nausea have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a depressive disorder and shoulder and knee conditions, effectively preclude him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.