Knee decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's current knee disabilities are not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was withdrawn, with the exception of his claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for atonic neurogenic bladder after August 28, 2012. The Veteran is satisfied with the current rating assigned.

The Veteran's unemployability due to service-connected disabilities did not occur prior to October 1, 2004. The Board found that the evidence does not show he was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment before this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to his failure to report to scheduled VA examinations. The case will be further developed and readjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record, including scheduling VA examinations to evaluate his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability is caused by his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and therefore grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disability and found new and material evidence. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right hip and wrist disabilities, increased ratings for lumbosacral spine and right foot disabilities, and entitlement to TDIU benefits are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board denied reopening the claim for a bilateral knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection was not granted for coronary artery disease as there was no medical nexus between the current condition and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's recurrent right knee injury residuals, including degenerative joint disease, originated during active service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from March 26, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues before the Board.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance was not timely filed, as it was received after the July 31st deadline. Therefore, he is denied entitlement to clothing allowances for 2004 through 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left hip disorder and bilateral knee disorder are not related to her military service or a service-connected condition, and thus cannot be granted service connection. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The effective date of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) eligibility was not granted earlier than June 3, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus due to in-service herbicide exposure. The claim for bilateral knee disabilities is remanded as additional medical opinions are needed regarding the preexistence and aggravation of any knee disabilities.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to the Veteran's withdrawal. Service connection is not granted for left shoulder and right knee disabilities as there is no evidence of a current disability during the pendency of this claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded to allow for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of all submitted evidence.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to inadequate VA examination opinions and the need for additional development of the claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to address his claims.