Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further adjudication due to deficiencies in the previous decisions, including failure to consider the effect of the Veteran's pain on his earning capacity and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, including a TDIU effective June 8, 2009. The right knee instability is rated at 20 percent, the left knee meniscus tear at 20 percent, and both knees receive separate ratings for limited flexion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back, left knee, and right knee conditions, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service due to parachute jumps during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the benefit was already granted in full.,Service connection for high blood pressure is denied because there is no probative evidence linking it to active service, a period of inactive duty training (IDT), or an injury during a period of active duty for training (ADT).,The Veteran's claim for right eye vision loss due to welding exposure during his military service remains pending and must be remanded.,Service connection for the right knee disability is denied as there is no evidence linking it to active service, a period of inactive duty training (IDT), or an injury during a period of active duty for training (ADT).,The Veteran's claim for left knee disability remains pending and must be remanded.,Service connection for the lower lumbar back injury with multiple surgeries is denied as there is no evidence linking it to active service, a period of inactive duty training (IDT), or an injury during a period of active duty for training (ADT).

The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims of a bilateral foot, ankle, lower extremity radiculopathy, back, shoulder, or left knee condition as being related to service.,There is no current disability found for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to sustain gainful employment effective June 1, 2009. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU are met and grants the claim.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for right knee strain and a right knee surgical scar have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence regarding meniscal conditions and instability. The VA is requested to obtain an addendum opinion from a board-certified orthopedic surgeon that addresses these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate examinations and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's post traumatic vascular headaches have been restored to a 10 percent rating from December 21, 2018.,The claims for reopening the service connection for psoriasis and skin condition (secondary to sexual trauma or exposure to depleted uranium) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA medical examination to determine if his bilateral knee disorder is related to service. The current evidence does not support a finding that the condition was incurred in or caused by active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, and/or sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim is not currently addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder, DDD of the lumbar spine, hypertension, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, residuals of right hand carpal tunnel release, left knee chondromalacia patella and meniscal tear with shin splints, and right knee chondromalacia patella with shin splints, have rendered her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has granted an extraschedular TDIU from October 25, 2009. The cases of more than a 10 percent rating for service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis with painful motion and more than a 20 percent rating for service-connected right knee meniscectomy residuals are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, an increased rating for migraine headaches, and TDIU due to unresolved issues with medical opinions and examination findings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of left knee osteoarthritis, finding that it did not manifest during active service or within one year of active service and is not causally related to his active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee condition(s), left knee condition(s), and neck instability. The claims are remanded for further development including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc and joint disease is related to active service, granted.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) disability is proximately due to his service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis and shin splints status post ORIF left tibia fracture, granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis due to new evidence showing presumptive exposure to toxic materials during service in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's claim is granted.,The claims for service connection for back disability and right knee disability remain denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms began during service and have persisted.