Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected left knee replacement, and a new examination is needed to determine if it was caused or aggravated by this condition. The Veteran's evaluation for status post total left knee replacement needs to be reassessed due to inadequate previous examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and internal derangement of the left knee with osteoarthritis, status-post total knee replacement. The evidence supports that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a left knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and degenerative joint disease with suprapatellar effusion, due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its onset during service.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection of low back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder need to be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in disability rating for unspecified anxiety disorder was denied as the symptoms do not result in total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's claim for an increase in disability rating for sleep apnea (OSA) was denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of chronic respiratory failure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic right ankle pain, chronic left ankle pain, right elbow strain (dominant), left elbow strain (non-dominant), chronic right wrist pain (dominant), chronic left wrist pain (non-dominant), and chronic left knee pain were denied in the November 2019 rating decision. The Veteran did not file a Notice of Disagreement within one year, so the decision became final.,The Veteran filed a Supplemental Claim on September 26, 2019, which was received by VA and granted service connection for these conditions effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and right knee disability do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his limitations are adequately compensated by the current disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals from a burn on his face, left knee disability, and right knee disability are denied. The claim of readjudication for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left hip, right knee (secondary to lower back condition), left knee, left shoulder, right hip, and right shoulder conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to unclear employment status and need for additional medical opinions regarding functional impairment without considering medication effects.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for sleep apnea, which is secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The decision requires a medical examination and opinion regarding whether obesity (caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities) was a substantial factor in causing the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the prior rating decision and has ordered additional medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood or obesity aggravated his OSA.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for his left knee scar has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of unstable or painful scars, and therefore, no compensable rating could be assigned under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's bilateral knee, back, right ankle sprain, right hip, and bilateral shoulder disabilities are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 6, 2013, for the awards of service connection for left shoulder strain and left knee patellofemoral syndrome status/post meniscectomy have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder strain and 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome status/post meniscectomy are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the 40 percent ratings for left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, as well as the 30 percent ratings for right and left knee flexion limited to 9 degrees, have been remanded.,The effective date for the award of service connection for OSA is granted on April 2, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, and right ankle condition due to a lack of service treatment records. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decision duty to assist error and the claim must be remanded for further action, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an adequate medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee arthroscopic surgery for meniscal tear, painful scars, and surgical scars with effective dates starting from February 5, 2020.