Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, right foot condition, and right knee condition are remanded due to pre-decisional errors.

An initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches, from May 4, 2018 to the present, is granted. An initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee strain with limitation of flexion, from September 8, 2020 to the present, is denied. A separate initial 20 percent rating for left knee instability, from September 8, 2020 to the present, is granted.

The Board has granted an initial 30 percent rating for hypothyroidism from February 24, 2021, to June 9, 2021. The Veteran's right knee and bilateral foot pain issues are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for his right and left knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome to 50 percent effective September 26, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions as secondary to her service-connected bilateral pes planus. The case is being sent back for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a left knee disorder due to lack of qualifying active military, naval, air or space service. The veteran served as a merchant mariner but did not meet the legal definition of a veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right knee disability, and initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to procedural errors in obtaining necessary evidence and inadequate medical opinions.

Your appeals for service connection for bilateral shin splints and a left knee disability have been dismissed as you withdrew your appeal on July 17, 2024.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, left shoulder, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete records and a need for VA TERA examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of November 6, 1993 for service connection of patellofemoral pain syndrome and scar in both knees.

The Veteran's service-connected knee and foot disabilities render him helpless, requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability and left knee condition due to insufficient information in the VA opinions provided. The claims will be addressed again with additional evidence considered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational background and occupational experience. The Board finds the totality of the evidence more probative than his lay statements in determining that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eye condition, right shin condition (including a right knee condition), and left shin condition (including a left knee condition) are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disability with total knee replacement, effective October 18, 2020. The claim was reopened due to new and relevant evidence submitted after the initial denial in February 1994.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities. The claims are now remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's knee disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to address certain aspects of his claims, including the onset of his knee and shoulder disabilities during service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent, and he has additional disabilities independently ratable at or above 60 percent. The Board granted SMC at the housebound rate based on his service-connected conditions. However, the claim for SMC(k) related to erectile dysfunction caused by medication for major depressive disorder was remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, SI joint dysfunction, sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity, and femoral radiculopathy, right lower extremity were denied as they predate the date entitlement arose.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for service connection of right knee degenerative arthritis limitation of extension was denied as it predated the date entitlement arose.