Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was dismissed because he did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) within one year of the March 2016 rating decision.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and he has met the schedular criteria for a TDIU as of August 1, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is not service-connected and denied his claim. The left shoulder disability was also considered, but no higher rating could be granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and back disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disabilities are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, private medical records, and arranging for an orthopedic examination of his right knee.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and additional records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected left knee disability is pending.

The Veteran is granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis from December 3, 2009, through March 26, 2010. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise and resolved any doubt in favor of granting TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board will address the issues on remand.

The Veteran's initial knee ratings have been granted, but the Board is remanding for further development of his right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are presumed to have existed prior to her period of active service, but were not aggravated by such service. As a result, she is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities, and therefore service connection is denied for all issues.

The Veteran's appeals for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain Quality Assurance records related to his MRSA infection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence and issues that need further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee injury, bilateral pes planus, bronchial asthma, and depressive disorder have been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to service, as there was no aggravation of a preexisting condition during active duty. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability did not have its onset during or was caused by his active service, and arthritis of the left knee did not manifest within one year of separation from active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right knee and cervical spine disabilities are not etiologically related to his service, and thus denies both claims.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for ischemic heart disease was granted, and he is now rated at 100 percent effective May 8, 2017. The Board also found that the Veteran met the criteria for TDIU from August 31, 2010 to May 6, 2015 due to his service-connected ischemic heart disease.