Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, heart disability (IHD), and tinnitus were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability due to disease or injury in service that would support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal concerning the issue of a rating in excess of 60 percent for his left knee disability from February 28, 2011 is dismissed due to lack of case or controversy. The effective date issue related to the assignment of a 60 percent rating for his left knee disability remains pending and will be addressed in a SOC.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is required to determine the etiology of any current left knee disability, and this claim is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's National Guard records, SSA records, and private treatment records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed left knee disorder, including any residual scar. This case will then be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The claim to reopen service connection for bilateral pes planus with calluses was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to October 19, 2005, and thus denied an earlier effective date for his TDIU rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not manifest during service and is not related to active service, including his service-connected fractures. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that a timely substantive appeal was filed for some issues but not others, and thus the decision regarding service connection for PTSD and higher initial ratings for sleep apnea and allergic rhinitis is considered valid.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional medical records and for a new opinion from the December 2011 VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and entitlement to a TDIU have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeals by filing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbosacral spine, left knee, and cervical spine disabilities are not related to her service or any service-connected conditions. The claims for these disabilities have therefore been denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder tendonitis, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claim for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria. The claim for vitiligo was denied as the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability, including functional impairment due to incoordination, weakened movement, excess fatigability, or pain during flare-ups. The RO will then adjudicate the increased rating claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to service and did not develop secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran may have additional disabilities related to his military service which need to be evaluated.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by arthritis and instability, was found to not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent prior to May 23, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale for a VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to work, and because of the need to obtain additional evidence including earnings history from Social Security.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The claim for respiratory disability remains denied as new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.