Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities because he did not complete and submit the necessary application form, and there was no evidence showing that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues related to left knee instability, left knee degenerative arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss. He is satisfied with the current ratings assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and psychiatric conditions due to incomplete development of records from his active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for the left knee disability including due to undiagnosed illness, leaving only the claims of service connection for left shoulder and lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including post-arthroplasty and pre-arthroplasty conditions, is rated at 30 percent since February 1, 2009. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date has been denied. Additionally, the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to July 1, 2017, remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder, headaches, and degenerative arthritis of the spine. Service connection was denied for right knee disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease are related to his active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions. The issues of service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder have been remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability, specifically left and right patellofemoral syndrome, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied higher ratings for both knees, but granted separate ratings of 20 percent under DC 5261 for limitation of extension since May 26, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including VA treatment records and examination reports. The issues of service connection for a left knee disability, right knee tendonitis with limited extension, and shin splints of the right leg are being addressed.

The Board has decided the service connection claims and found them denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a jaw disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a right knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for residuals of epidermal cysts, a TDIU, and an increased rating for right knee disability are currently before the Board.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted an increased rating of 30% for limitation of extension from February 27, 2014 to February 22, 2018.,A separate 10% rating was granted for instability prior to February 22, 2018. A 60% rating was granted for arthritis starting April 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right knee condition is related to his service. The VA examiner needs to consider the Veteran's reports of continuous right knee pain since service and provide an opinion on its relation to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and inadequate VA examinations. The claims are related to secondary service connection, but no specific exposure basis or presumption was provided.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of sleep apnea, left knee disability, right knee disability, and low back disability due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran's active service duties as a Navy diver are considered, along with any preexisting conditions and their potential impact on current knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including gunshot wound residuals and scars, hip pain and numbness, knee pain, PTSD, and skin rashes due to herbicide exposure. The appeals are granted.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's service connection and rating appeals, as well as his request for TDIU. The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disorder, lumbar spine strain, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are remanded due to insufficient opinions in the previous VA examinations.