Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her acquired psychiatric disorder and physical conditions such as headaches, foot disorders, knee disorders, and ear drum disorder, rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with her education and work history as of July 12, 1996. As a result, the Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is granted as service connected. The lumbar spine and left knee disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion. The right knee disability and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD based on MST) are also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder, cervical spine, bilateral ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar discogenic disease.,Service connection for a hiatal hernia is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right and left hip disabilities. The reasons are that additional development is needed to address the current severity of these conditions due to gaps in medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disabilities, as the previous examinations did not clearly state at what point during range of motion testing pain began.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable evaluation for bilateral plantar fasciitis, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to July 23, 2019, are dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left inguinal hernia, left knee disorder (secondary to bilateral plantar fasciitis), and right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left knee, right hip, and bilateral hip disabilities are being remanded due to the receipt of additional VA examination evidence. The AOJ is instructed to consider whether extra-schedular referral to the Director of Compensation Service is warranted in connection with these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VA examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted with an effective date of October 17, 2003. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of unemployability prior to March 16, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee conditions are rated at the minimum level, with no higher ratings granted due to lack of more severe symptoms or functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The VA examiner must consider the lay evidence of in-service injuries and continuous pain since service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and right knee disability due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's hypertension may be related to herbicide agent exposure, while his right knee disability is linked to combat-related activities.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection.,The initial compensable rating for chronic sinusitis with headaches is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability and right hip arthritis are service-connected, with the right hip arthritis being at least as likely as not aggravated by his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 10 percent for right knee scars prior to May 10, 2019 is granted. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent from May 10, 2019 is denied due to lack of evidence of three or four painful scars.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus condition is granted a separate initial rating of 20 percent, but no higher. The left and right knee disabilities are denied increased ratings.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding his service-connected bilateral knee and left quadriceps disabilities, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and conducting new orthopedic examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability and its relation to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need to obtain additional records, including National Guard and Reserve personnel records, SSA records, and private medical records from Strong Memorial Hospital and Cook County Hospital.