Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection grants are granted with effective dates of December 17, 2018.,An earlier effective date of December 17, 2018, is granted for the awards of service connection for left knee limitation of extension and right knee instability.

The Board has determined that an effective date of November 27, 2019 is warranted for the award of a 70 percent rating for MDD. The Veteran's claims for right hip and left knee disabilities as well as TDIU are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus was dismissed due to procedural issues. The VA granted an initial disability evaluation of 10 percent for left foot strain and denied any higher evaluations for the left long finger and ring finger disorders. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders and right and left shoulder disorders, as a VA examination is needed.

The Board has granted effective dates of July 15, 2016 for the grant of service connection for left knee instability and left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claim for tinnitus was denied as there is no prior pending claim that could be considered.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, and an addendum opinion is needed to consider the aggregate effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, finding a medical nexus between the Veteran's current diagnoses and in-service injuries.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities made him unemployable prior to December 8, 2023. After that date, his disability rating was increased to 100%, making the TDIU issue moot.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the left knee as secondary to a service-connected right ankle sprain and for tinnitus, both conditions found to be related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back, left knee, and bilateral hip disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations addressing pre-service conditions and aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and hypertension have been granted. The claim for increased evaluation for tinnitus has been dismissed, while the claims for service connection for low back disability, peripheral neuropathy, scar of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, individual unemployability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. The left knee disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and ankle disabilities, as well as associated scars. The issues have not been decided yet.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a below the knee left leg amputation associated with diabetes mellitus type II was granted effective July 15, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that it was not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service and did not manifest within one year of discharge. The Board also found no evidence of secondary service connection due to his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss has been granted.,An initial 10 percent rating is assigned for residuals of the right fifth finger fracture with a gap between fingertip and proximal transverse crease, effective from August 25, 2017. The left knee condition also received an initial 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, right knee lateral meniscus tear with osteoarthritis, and left knee strain with osteoarthritis due to unclear functional loss during flare-ups and additional loss of function.

The Veteran's left knee strain is remanded due to the need for clarification on his service from June 1980 to June 1986, including periods of active duty and pay details.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing continuity of symptomatology from service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee tendonitis/tendinosis and hemorrhoids, finding that these conditions are related to service.