Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.,The Veteran's headaches are currently noncompensable. The evidence does not show characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea, back, knee, and shoulder disabilities prevent him from securing or following gainful employment. The Board finds the evidence to be in equipoise as to whether these conditions meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance for the year 2020 due to his use of bilateral knee braces for service-connected left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee disabilities and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment from February 24, 2021. The Board granted the TDIU claim.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 3, 2019 for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain, bilateral knee strains, and tinnitus. The Veteran's intent to file was received by VA on that date.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at a 30 percent rating, and his right hip and left hip replacement disabilities are each rated at a 50 percent rating. The Veteran's right knee total replacement with residuals is rated at a 60 percent rating.,Initial compensable ratings for scars of the right shoulder, right hip, right knee, and left hip were denied.

The appeals of the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities and PTSD have been dismissed.,An increased rating for a low back disability has been denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran's Notice of Disagreement was filed in response to a notification letter that did not make any decision regarding his claim for service connection for a right knee condition.

The Veteran's left knee instability from December 16, 2019 is granted with a 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's right knee instability from December 16, 2019 is also granted with a 10 percent rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a facial cyst and right knee injury as there was no adjudicative determination within one year prior to the Veteran's August 2021 Notice of Disagreement.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, granted service connection for left knee pain (left knee disability), and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety, and sleeping problems.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as prostate disability, are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. Additionally, the rating for lumbosacral strain greater than 20 percent is also remanded.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 30 percent rating for left knee degenerative arthritis due to improper reduction and inadequate examination.

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, depression, bilateral knee disabilities, and lumbar spine disability due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran must be provided with addendum opinions addressing his in-service stressors, injuries, and complaints.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left hip strain with bursitis is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claim for service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, as his auditory thresholds do not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the restoration of the effective date for service connection of left knee joint osteoarthritis with a meniscus tear, status post-arthroscopic surgery.

The Board has granted a temporary rating of 100 percent for left knee status post partial knee arthroplasty from December 19, 2016, to January 18, 2018. The Veteran's appeal regarding the subsequent disability rating and service connection for asthma is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on his service-connected right hip and left knee disabilities, as well as a right hip scar, is dismissed because the issues are already pending final adjudication by the Board.