Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition, left knee condition, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, to include as secondary to service-connected left ankle sprain with residual pain, should be remanded due to inadequate examination and duty to assist.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, back disability, and right wrist disability due to a lack of credible evidence showing an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from October 30, 2018 to November 28, 2018. His claim for service connection for a heart disability is remanded and his temporary total rating based on hospital treatment in excess of 21 days for left knee disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider certain VA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for genu varum of both knees and knee replacements are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any current disability began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee replacements are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any current disability began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine IVDS, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee and right foot strains have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylolisthesis is rated at 10 percent prior to October 30, 2016 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions are each rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran’s degenerative joint disease of the left knee is rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran’s degenerative joint disease of the right knee is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance are granted. The right hand burn scar residuals rating is remanded due to insufficient examination findings.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities since March 1, 2014. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met from this date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities because her combined evaluation of service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for consideration of a TDIU, and she failed to submit necessary evidence required to establish her entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C due to new and material evidence. The issues of secondary service connection for heart and bone disabilities, neck disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and evaluation of back disability in excess of assigned ratings are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.,Regarding the secondary service connection claim for a bilateral knee disability, the Board found insufficient evidence linking the knee disability to the claimed in-service injury. The Board also noted that there was no service-connected disease or injury from which the current knee disability could be considered secondary.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and remanded his claim for an initial disability rating for PTSD. The decision is final as to all issues decided.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain treatment records from McClellan Air Force Base for the period of 1984-1985, as these records may provide insight into whether the Veteran's service-connected hypertensive cardiovascular disease contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and meniscus tear and degenerative arthritis were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis on a secondary basis and TDIU due to the inadequacy of the May 2016 VA opinion. The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is being linked to his left knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's appeals for right ear hearing loss, allergies, viral syndrome, chloracne, bilateral knee disability, PFB, lumbar spine disability, and left hip disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee DJD but remanded the issue of left knee disability due to insufficient evidence in the October 2016 VA opinion.