Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected dermatitis was denied as the condition does not cover at least 20 percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected, and does not require systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs during the past 12-month period.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his active duty service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, back disorder, right-hand disorder, and anemia due to incomplete records search under the Veteran's former name. A new VA medical opinion is needed on each issue.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities were granted, with a separate rating for the meniscal tear and non-compensable ratings for flexion and extension limitations. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and the criteria for a TDIU rating have not been met.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased initial ratings for left and right knee disabilities due to incomplete VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of thoracolumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder and elbow disabilities, left knee and cervical spine disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The issues have been referred back to VA for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development of records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for right knee degenerative arthritis prior to October 10, 2019 and denied any higher rating. A 40 percent rating is granted for the period since October 10, 2019.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his meniscectomy and degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 20 percent from December 3, 2020. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and upper back disabilities as well as TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the service connection for coronary artery disease and the impact of service-connected left hip and knee disabilities on the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis and right knee injury. The case will be remanded to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board has ordered additional VA examinations for the Veteran's right and left knee disorders, as well as his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The case is being remanded to ensure these examinations are conducted.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected. The lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral hand disabilities are denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, headaches, ankle and leg disabilities, knee disability, and shoulder arthritis, were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or relationship to service.

The Board denied a TDIU on an extraschedular basis as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's chronic gastritis, left clavicle fracture residuals, and sinus condition are all found to be related to his active duty service. The Board granted the Veteran's claims for these conditions.