Knee Board decisions

The Veteran is granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected left foot disability, which results in the loss of use of one lower extremity and affects balance. The appeal seeking a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's appeal to increase his disability rating for a left knee disability was denied because the appeal was not filed within one year of the original decision. The Board dismissed the appeal due to lack of timely filing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, and somatic symptom disorder is granted. Service connection for right calf disability and right knee arthritis is also granted. The claims for left knee condition and back condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The Veteran is required to provide authorization or submit private treatment records from the 'JHH system' regarding his disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PFB, hypertension, and right knee degenerative arthritis. The claims for left shoulder disability and skin rash have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability and heart disability are remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for upper back, cervical spine, right ankle, left ankle, right hip, left hip, right wrist, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence establishing an in-service injury or disease that caused the current conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee patella femoral pain syndrome, left knee patella femoral pain syndrome, and lumbar stenosis as new and relevant evidence had not been received to readjudicate these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is being remanded due to procedural errors. The Board will need to gather the Veteran's complete occupational history and income information from each year on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral knee strains are granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The appeal for cervical spine stenosis is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee disability, left shoulder disability condition, right shoulder disability condition, left shin splints, and right shin splints due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's service records show no evidence of these conditions during active service or as a result of toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not show a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral wrist disability is denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking his current wrist condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee strain is being remanded due to a procedural error in the initial decision, and he will be given notice of his right to a hearing on this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance since January 22, 2018. The Board has granted an effective date of January 22, 2018 for SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left anterior medial knee scar, left knee limitation of flexion, left knee patellar instability, and left knee removal of semilunar cartilage are all rated at the minimum 10 percent level due to painful motion. GERD is not manifested by a documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic. The Veteran's radiculopathies are both rated at the maximum 20 percent level.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The effective date for tinea unguium remains denied, and the other issues are pending further review.

The Board has remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of right knee total arthroplasty due to an error in the VA examination, and the Veteran must be afforded another VA examination that fully complies with Correia v. McDonald.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion, and separate ratings are granted for instability prior to February 7, 2021 (10%) and from that date (20%). A compensable rating for the surgical scar is denied. The Veteran's painful right knee scar also receives a separate 10 percent rating.,The claim of service connection for coronary artery disease remains pending as it has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right middle finger ganglion cyst is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the remaining issues of service connection for his shoulder and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis. The AOJ is required to obtain a new examination and opinion for these conditions.