Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not attributable to disease or injury sustained during his period of active service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left leg disability and determine if there are any flare-ups or limitations in motion. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which has been rated as 30 percent since May 1, 2011, is now rated at 60 percent effective from that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the right knee disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's status post medial-lateral cartilage residuals of the right knee, effective December 30, 2009. The Veteran also received an increase in his evaluation for osteoarthritis of the right knee to 10 percent from July 3, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus no further action will be taken on her claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's low back, cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities are considered due to undiagnosed illness related to Gulf War service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for which he would otherwise be qualified.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied, with the exception of a grant of a 50% rating for depression effective January 30, 2012. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his depressive disorder.

The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease and left knee disability are being remanded for additional development as the VA examinations did not consider all relevant evidence, including recent private medical records. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 12, 2012 for the award of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric, right knee, bilateral hip, and back disorders are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests that additional clarification be obtained from Dr. Mohammad Khan regarding his April 2013 opinion.

The Veteran's left knee strain was granted a disability rating of 20 percent effective February 1, 2017. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not attributable to service. The VA examinations and medical opinions provided no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability and to clarify functional impairment. The appeal will be returned to the Board after this is completed.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.