Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected right knee chondromalacia and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation have been granted. The rating for the right knee has been increased to 10 percent, effective July 1, 2008, with a separate 30 percent rating for atrial fibrillation effective February 19, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as well as for obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's left knee disability is not considered a qualifying additional disability under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 because it was not caused by participation in an approved VA rehabilitation program.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and clarification of representation.

The Veteran's appeal was denied on all issues, including the initial rating for left long finger fracture and service connection claims for psychiatric disorder, cervical disorder, low back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence, including service treatment records from his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (IDT), as well as any outstanding private medical records. The Veteran will be provided notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's back disability has been granted a compensable initial evaluation of 10 percent effective August 30, 2013.,Service connection for the right knee disability was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, including instability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination and obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for left knee and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for eczema/keratose are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his left shoulder and knee disabilities, as well as a need for a statement of the case on the issue of a compensable initial rating for eczema/keratose.

The Veteran's current tension-type headaches are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities, including the medications required for those disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient detail in the February 2014 VA examination report and the need for additional line of duty determinations, SSA records, treatment records from the San Antonio Orthopaedic Group, and any other relevant medical records.

The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative changes, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with meniscus tear are currently rated at 10 percent each. The claims for higher ratings have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and an inadequate VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from a private physician and VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 29, 2008 for a separate 20 percent rating for instability of the left knee and for a temporary total evaluation prior to September 28, 2009 due to left knee surgery.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of his left knee disability and service connection for a back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right knee disability, gastritis, or left jaw disability related to service. The preexisting back disability was not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in service records and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for right knee disability, as well as service connection for various disorders, are pending.