Knee Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and blindness of the left eye, but has remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes a total knee replacement surgery, is currently rated at 30 percent from June 1, 2015. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of 'severe' painful motion or weakness.

The Veteran's bilateral knee replacements and right ankle fracture with posttraumatic arthritis are rated at 60 percent each, granting the requested increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to new service personnel records showing multiple periods of active duty for training (ANACDUTRA). The claims will be reviewed with consideration of these additional periods.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and bilateral pes planus need further examination to determine if they are related to service or have been aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis, lumbosacral strain, and left inguinal hernia.

The Veteran's right knee instability and degenerative changes have not met the criteria for a higher disability rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU rating, and there is no evidence to support an extraschedular TDIU rating due to her ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including right lower extremity radiculopathy, left leg disability, right leg disability, arthritis, tendonitis, neck disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The decision also notes that the Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and treatment records from Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital. The Veteran also needs an addendum opinion regarding his bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to increased ratings for left knee disability and service connection for a low back disability due to new evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling additional VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension and glaucoma are not service-connected.,Right and left lower extremity varicose veins have been rated as 40 percent disabling, but the Veteran is seeking higher ratings. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 40 percent is not warranted at this time.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction may be related to Gulf War exposures, but further clarification is needed from an appropriate clinician.,Left and right knee strains have been rated as 10 percent disabling each, but the Veteran is seeking higher ratings. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent for both knees is not warranted at this time.,Lumbar spine degenerative joint disease has been rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Veteran is seeking a higher rating. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted at this time.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed due to a recent injury, but no relevant records are in the file as of now.