Knee Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left forearm and left knee disabilities, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between any in-service injury or disease and the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for muscle spasms and pain in upper back, muscle spasms and pain in neck, right knee strain with popping and pain (also claimed with right knee scar tissue), left knee strain with popping and pain, left ankle strain with popping and pain, and right ankle strain with popping and pain due to insufficient evidence to resolve the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU rating. The Board finds there is not sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities and that TDIU benefits are not warranted because the Veteran is not unable to obtain and sustain financially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hepatitis B infection, prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction, PTSD, and various neuropathies, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical limitations. The Board has determined that the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance are met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted in June 2021. The appeal is dismissed as the issue has been resolved.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of sinusitis, tinnitus, and left knee pain. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee conditions, finding that these conditions were aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent from January 1, 2021, to April 1, 2021, and at 60 percent thereafter. The Board has found the VA examination inadequate due to a recent surgery and requires an additional examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions that are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability but denied service connection for a right leg and/or knee condition (claimed as a right leg disability). The Veteran's hip disability is presumed to have started during active service, while her knee condition does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left knee condition has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability was denied.,The reduction in ratings for the right hip trochanteric bursitis with thigh impairment and limitation of flexion were upheld, but the restoration of ratings for pruritus (eczema) was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent from June 1, 2020. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left ankle conditions, as well as right and left knee conditions, are remanded due to inadequate examination opinions.

The Veteran's right knee surgical scars have not been shown to be manifested by five or more scars that are unstable or painful, and thus the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left leg pain disability, right foot arthritis, back pain secondary to a left leg pain disability, and right knee disability secondary to a left leg pain disability. The remaining claims of service connection for right foot arthritis, back pain secondary to left leg pain, and right knee disability secondary to left leg pain are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and potential errors in the duty to assist. The Board cannot consider evidence not submitted at the time of the March 2021 decision on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis was dismissed because the August 2020 rating decision did not constitute an initial decision under the AMA and remained in the Legacy review system.