Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and further review of the claims.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's neck injury, left knee DJD, and chondromalacia patella conditions.,The current ratings of 20%, 10%, and 10% remain unchanged.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not service connected and does not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to VA treatment.

The Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found the evidence against a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and addressing specific periods of dependency benefits paid to [REDACTED], [REDACTED], and [REDACTED].

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, but his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not have limitation of motion that meets the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left knee is characterized by arthritis-related painful motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, right knee injury, and hip arthritis, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and OSA, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.,Service connection was not granted as there is insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder and OSA to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his claim for a TDIU rating has been denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent for limitation of extension, effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU claim was denied as there is no indication that his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since January 14, 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lower back condition and right knee condition, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left hip degenerative arthritis and lumbar strain, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his knees, shoulder, and back conditions, contributed to the cause of death due to pulmonary thromboembolism.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a central skeletal system condition, including fibromyalgia or conditions of the shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, or feet, has been denied as there is no current diagnosis and no evidence of an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran is also not entitled to TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary regarding the claims on appeal, including obtaining an addendum opinion for the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions and asthma. The heart condition claim will also be remanded due to its connection to asbestos exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for left knee, low back, and right hip disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral hip disability, right foot toe disability, peripheral neuropathy, depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The case is now remanded for further development.