Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II are granted as presumptively related to service due to herbicide exposure. Service connection is also granted for left knee, right knee, and lower back conditions, all presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure. The esophageal condition (GERD) is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical examination evidence, and a new VA examination is required for the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with chondrocalcinosis.

The Veteran's left knee condition, specifically limitation of flexion, is granted an increased rating to 30 percent effective March 18, 2015. An initial 20 percent rating for left knee lateral instability is also granted from the same date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorders, low back disorder, and bilateral foot disorders due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a finding that his current condition was incurred in or related to active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disorder and its relationship to service, as well as whether it is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for chronic sinusitis, effective May 29, 2013. The appeal regarding a higher rating for right knee disability and right hand disability was denied. An earlier effective date of May 29, 2013 for the initial 10 percent rating for chronic sinusitis is granted.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and heart disability. The appeals are being remanded due to inadequate previous opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD claim has been reopened and granted.,Tinnitus was found to be related to service, with a current disability established within one year of separation from active duty.,Right hip strain and right knee degenerative joint disease were determined to be caused by pre-existing conditions (left knee chondromalacia patella and torn meniscus, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right ankle degenerative joint disease with tendonitis).,Hemorrhoids and jaw disorder claims are remanded for further evaluation.,Sinus disorder claim is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for residuals of a left ankle fracture and service connection for a left knee disability, to include as secondary to residuals of a left ankle fracture, are remanded due to incomplete development. The effective date issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder was denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's left eye disorder.

The Veteran's ocular histoplasmosis of both eyes is granted as service-connected. The claim for initial higher ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis status-post arthroscopic surgery with residual scars remains on appeal.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability and has remanded issues related to service connection for low back, left hip, and left ankle disorders.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disorder and remanded all issues related to bilateral hip, right knee, and skin disorders. The Veteran's claims are pending further development including VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee disability, prostate cancer, and respiratory disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examination reports and missing medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity and requests additional examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issues. The Board also noted that new VA examinations are needed for some of the disabilities on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increase in SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected conditions do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person.