Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's asthma and functional dyspepsia have been granted presumptive service connection. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the other issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if his knee and back conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right knee disorder and her service-connected left knee disorder, as well as obesity. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee instability and right knee joint arthritis, effective from January 27, 2017. The Veteran had a pending appeal for these conditions at the time of the award.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, and left knee arthritis. The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective May 19, 2017.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has found that it does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating. The appeal for TDIU was rendered moot due to the grant of total schedular ratings and SMC.

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is granted. The claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left wrist disability, TDIU, and eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examinations, and a new VA knee examination is required before the claim for an increased rating for right knee PFPS can be reconsidered.

The Board denied the Veteran's applications to reopen service connection claims for high cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, basal cell carcinoma of the upper left back, right carotid artery stenosis, and a left knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The evidence submitted did not provide new or relevant information that would support these claims.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is granted as service-connected. The issue of secondary service connection for persistent depressive disorder due to a service-connected shoulder condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of a medical nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee condition.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the November 2012 rating decision, which assigned a noncompensable rating for right knee chondromalacia. The decision is now reversed with an initial compensable rating of 10 percent effective August 31, 2012.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for urinary tract infections, bilateral foot disability claimed as plantar fasciitis, right knee strain secondary to her service-connected left knee disability, and lumbosacral strain secondary to her service-connected left knee disability. The appeals are all resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for varicose veins other than a left varicocele is not being remanded as there is no new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 60 percent, the highest rating available under VA regulations. A higher rating is not warranted as no additional ratings are provided for his condition.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have worsened, requiring him to use a cane and walker. The Board finds that a new examination is necessary due to the extent of treatment received.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and ratings have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided that the character of the Appellant's discharge from active duty service needs to be determined, and thus remanded for further action.