Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased evaluations for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spurs, and first metatarsophalangeal joint arthritis; pseudofolliculitis barbae; and right knee disabilities. The case will be remanded to obtain additional VA examinations.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The Veteran needs to provide VA with his complete service treatment records, including those from his period of active-duty service from November 1981 to February 1982. He also needs to authorize VA to obtain his SSA records and attend a new VA hearing loss examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current right knee disabilities and his service. The VA will need to conduct a new examination and provide an opinion on whether there is at least as likely as not that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to November 27, 2009. The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, right and left knee disabilities, left foot disability, headaches secondary to PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, herpes, cervical spine disability (secondary to PTSD), right and left hip pain, and hypertension. The only condition granted was an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD, depression, anxiety and other stressor related disorder).

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims are not granted as service connection is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions and lumbar strain have been granted service connection.,A rating of 10 percent has been assigned for the right wrist condition.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development due to the submission of new evidence, including VA treatment records and examination reports. The Veteran did not respond to a request to waive review by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back condition, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after resolving the issue of service connection for the Veteran's back condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle strain, left ankle strain, right knee disability, and left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral feet arthrosis with plantar fasciitis.

The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for right knee instability prior to September 11, 2018. However, the matter of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the right knee disability prior to September 11, 2018 is remanded due to inadequate development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right knee, left knee, and ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. Specifically, VA and private treatment records from various sources need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition was denied, but the appeal is reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection for this condition remains denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine if his OSA is related to service-connected disabilities or toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The decision granted the Veteran a TDIU effective June 10, 2016, due to his left knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for instability. The right knee and ankle disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral arm burns and hypertension. The claims of service connection for actinic keratosis (claimed as cellulitis) and right knee disorder are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle, knee, and hip conditions as secondary to a service-connected right heel injury. The Veteran's treating physician suggested that his current right ankle, knee, and hip conditions may be aggravated by his service-connected right heel injury.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by meniscal and ACL tear with osteoarthritis, is rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for painful extension. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.