Knee Board decisions

Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee chondromalacia patella and left knee instability is remanded.,The Veteran's claims are currently under review, with the decision on these issues being deferred until all necessary records have been obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to additional evidence being added to the record since the December 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran and his representative will be provided a supplemental statement of the case with consideration of all new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of a low back disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and right knee disorder due to secondary service connection. The case requires an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by the service-connected left knee disorder.

The Veteran's right knee instability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected knee, ankle, and foot disabilities have been granted earlier effective dates of March 1, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran is seeking a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 29, 2008. The Board has determined that the claim should be remanded for further development and consideration by the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including those related to exposure to environmental contaminants in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during his Persian Gulf War service, is being remanded due to insufficient rationale and conflicting information provided by previous VA examiners. The Board requests new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a claim for a 10% rating based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic disability related to in-service activities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, except for the period from September 30, 2020. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding his GERD claim, right knee instability, and TDIU prior to September 30, 2020.

The Veteran's bilateral hip, knee, and ankle conditions are remanded for further development to determine their etiology and whether they are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee disability and remanded the claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, as well as skin condition. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations and provide additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder. The issues include service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, with secondary or aggravation claims related to service-connected bilateral foot disability and/or ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to increased ratings for service-connected disabilities and the TDIU issue. Additional development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's claim for a maximum 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage of the right knee is granted. The issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for painful limitation of motion associated with right knee chondromalacia and instability are remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent, and his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of private treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for painful joints and bilateral eye disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.,Specifically, the VA examiner determined that the Veteran’s current joint pain and eye disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period between August 9, 2008 and December 18, 2012 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.