Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete examinations and need for additional information.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including symptoms of instability and pain, is currently rated at 20 percent effective March 16, 2014. The rating reflects the severity of his condition based on Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability and radiation proctitis with fecal urgency. The effective date issue remains unresolved as it is factually ascertainable that the onset of symptoms occurred within one year of an increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The appeal regarding increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as additional ratings for knee extension disabilities, are all granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are all rated prior to April 28, 2021, but a TDIU is granted effective that date.

The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and personality disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.,The appeals for increased ratings of right knee chondromalacia and right hand minimal motor and mild sensory loss have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were denied due to his service-connected disabilities not contributing in a significant way to his vocational impairment. The case is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of the Veteran's current symptomatology related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations and need for a retroactive opinion.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right and left knee disorders due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disability claims, including a respiratory condition presumed due to Gulf War exposure. The Board has ordered additional examinations and development for several other conditions related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's entitlement to increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees and right ankle tendonitis is granted from June 3, 2017 to December 15, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition that could be linked to current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, plantar fasciitis of the left and right feet, a lumbar spine disability, degenerative arthritis of the knees, were all denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and painful motion, moderate patellar dislocation, and symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage, is rated at 10 percent from April 9, 2016 to September 22, 2017. The rating remains unchanged for the rest of the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claim for an initial compensable rating for limitation of flexion due to right knee arthritis because there is insufficient information about functional loss during flare-ups and prolonged use.

Service connection is granted for bilateral pes planus. Service connection is denied for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right elbow/arm, left elbow/arm, right hip, left hip, and left knee disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including VA treatment records and SSA disability determination. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to address his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition and heart disease, finding that the Veteran did not have current diagnoses of these conditions separate from his service-connected injuries. The heart disease was found to be preexisting and not aggravated by service.