Knee Board decisions

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period prior to July 16, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to maintain gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for the timeliness of the February 6, 2017 notice of disagreement and a compensable evaluation for left knee scar status post replacement. The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, right knee disability in excess of 30 percent, left knee replacement prior to June 22, 2016 and 30 percent thereafter, and TDIU are REMANDED.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of TDIU, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 8, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions, including right knee chondromalacia, left knee Palligrini-Stieda's disease with chondromalacia, seborrheic dermatitis, bilateral pes planus, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), neck or cervical spine disability, and low back or thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including osteoarthritis of both knees and several other health issues. The decision was made due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred in or due to his time in service, nor is it proximately due to any of his service-connected disabilities. For his left knee disability, the rating assigned did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent. His residuals of a gunshot wound were rated appropriately under DC 5311. The Veteran's left and right hip disabilities were also rated appropriately under DCs 5003-5251.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and compliance with VA examination requirements.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee disabilities, lumbar spine disability, and hypertension have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's service records do not show any right shoulder, left shoulder, or right knee disabilities. The Board finds no current diagnoses of these conditions.,There is no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current right knee disability and an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and information regarding flare-ups.,The Veteran's appeal for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment is also being remanded, as it requires further medical evaluation.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary to ensure that VA fulfilled its duty to assist the Veteran in substantiating his appeal regarding service connection for left shoulder pain, bilateral knee pain, and bilateral foot pain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as right and left knee disabilities, due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot arthrosis with plantar fasciitis is alleged to have caused or aggravated his current ankle and knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic or recurrent right knee problems beginning in service to correlate to the right knee meniscus tear necessitating meniscectomy and total knee replacement. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current right knee disability was incurred during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee condition due to incomplete VA records and the need for an examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination and requests that he be given another opportunity to present for examination. Additionally, the Veteran should be provided another opportunity to submit pertinent medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Major Depressive Disorder), finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the 20 percent ratings for his left and right knee disabilities have been remanded due to insufficient evidence of an ascertainable date of increase in severity prior to December 12, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to inconsistencies in a previous VA opinion and the need to consider new evidence from the Veteran's spouse.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional development being required, including for a supplemental VA opinion on sleep apnea and a supplemental VA examination addressing right knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities.