Knee Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated obesity, and if so, whether obesity was a substantial factor in causing OSA.

The Veteran's right ankle, right knee, left knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are all found to be related to his military service.,His acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to his military service.

The appeal concerning the earlier effective date for the award of a 60% rating for total right knee arthroplasty is dismissed. The Veteran's other claims and benefits are addressed, with some granted and others denied.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and left knee condition due to a lack of current diagnoses. The claims for musculoskeletal-neck/upper back (cervical spine), nerve paralysis, and degenerative arthritis of the back are remanded as there were no medical opinions provided regarding their etiology.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 3, 2021. After that date, his combined permanent and total schedular rating does not allow for additional TDIU benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral knee disability due to conflicting opinions regarding the preexistence and aggravation of these conditions during service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of severe recurrent subluxation or lateral instability in either knee, and the current ratings are considered appropriate.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The Board finds the Veteran's accounts credible and grants service connection for his tinnitus. Service connection for right elbow, left elbow, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. Service connection for rhinitis and neck disability claims are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his left knee disability, including instability and arthritis, requires further development due to inadequate VA examinations conducted prior to the November 2020 rating decision.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to support readjudication of the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right foot, and left foot disorders. The claims are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and potential inextricably intertwined TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his left elbow and knee disabilities was denied. The reduction in the rating for left knee flexion from 10 percent to noncompensable, effective October 6, 2020, is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for arthritis of the left and right knees are granted. The left knee condition is related to a fall during reserve training in December 1968, while the right knee condition is secondary to the left knee condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, finding that it is related to his in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle peripheral edema and bilateral knee scars due to a lack of a VA examination, which is necessary to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and meniscectomy residuals, is rated at 20 percent for the entire appeal period. The rating for limitation of flexion remains denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is related to acoustic noise trauma sustained in service and has continued since service.,The Veteran's right knee condition, previously claimed as swelling and locking of the knee, had its onset during service after an injury and has continued since service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities and major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, left foot, and left knee conditions due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnoses and active service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical examination to address the nature and etiology of any respiratory disability, including service connection based on herbicide exposure. The Veteran's psychiatric condition, back, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are denied.