Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 30% rating for his total knee replacement from June 1, 2010. He also received separate ratings for post-operative excision and torn cartilage of the right knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity amputations and prostate cancer, cause him to require regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, effective February 1, 2013.

The Veteran's right knee conditions have been rated based on their current manifestations, and the Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple-joint arthritis and a nose disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are likely related to his military service.,Service connection is also granted for residuals of a broken nose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral knee disability and kidney disability. The examiner will need to consider whether these disabilities are related to service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including as secondary to his right knee disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and found that the Veteran's current disability is related to symptoms he experienced in service. The claims of increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims, including Social Security Administration records and private medical records. The Veteran must be provided with a statement of the case on all issues and given an opportunity to perfect his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed back disorder and knee conditions, as well as their impact on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled videoconference hearing and the need to reschedule it. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are still pending.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and because both issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claims have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of National Guard service and VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic chest pains and right knee disability, as well as his requests for increased initial ratings. The Veteran was granted a compensable rating (20%) for his right knee disability under Diagnostic Code 5258.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and is not yet able to determine if service connection should be granted or denied for the claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not manifest in service, is not otherwise related to service, and was not caused or permanently worsened by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete opinions and need for clarification on theories of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since at least 2003.