Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and clarification of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including her employment history and any special accommodations provided by her employer.

The Veteran's left knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent, with separate ratings for limitation of extension and meniscal tear. The appeal is granted on these issues.,A separate rating of 20 percent has been assigned for the Veteran's left knee strain due to frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and bilateral knee disabilities are dismissed. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including left foot, left ankle, right foot, right knee, neck, sinusitis, and type II diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his hip, knee, spine, and neurological disorders. The VA will obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with new examinations to address these issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis and lower back osteoarthritis due to new and material evidence submitted since the January 2015 final rating decision. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of bilateral pes planus due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly left knee disability. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his inguinal hernia, left elbow, left knee, neck, and back disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability was denied. The effective date of the grant of service connection for left knee joint degenerative arthritis is set at May 16, 2018. Other claims were either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for GERD with esophagitis, patellofemoral syndrome of the bilateral knees, and residuals of osteoplasty have been withdrawn. The application to reopen her claim of service connection for breast cancer residuals has been granted, as well as her claim of service connection for IBS.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 30 percent rating from November 24, 2010 to February 5, 2014 for DJD and a separate 20 percent rating for instability. The remaining issues are pending remand.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals for bilateral sinus condition and TBI. The appeals for bilateral foot, lower back, and right knee conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to their death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as they are now deceased.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including TBI, inguinal hernia residuals, left and right knee strains. The cases are being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him physically unable to engage in substantially gainful employment from July 1, 2015. Prior to that date, he was employed as a railroad engineer and thus considered employable.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthroscopic ACL repair and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent. A separate 10 percent rating for instability has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis and TDIU prior to December 1, 2010 are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disorders, as well as lower extremity neuropathies.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 23, 2016 for coronary artery disease and reopening of his right knee disability claim are denied. The Board finds that the Veteran has not provided new and material evidence to reopen his right knee disability claim. His TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis of the spine, bilateral hands/fingers, bilateral hips, bilateral knees, bilateral shoulders, and bilateral wrists, as well as his skin condition claim due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiners' opinions. The AOJ is instructed to seek new opinions that consider the Veteran's MOS and STRs.

The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent rating for sinusitis prior to September 12, 2019. However, a higher rating is denied.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.