Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure the Veteran receives proper notice and scheduling of VA examinations, as well as to address his claims for increased evaluations and service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at a combined of 40 percent from November 8, 2017. The low back disability remains unresolved and needs further development.

The Board denied service connection for a right hand disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service injury.,The Board also denied service connection for a right knee disability, concluding that the Veteran's current condition was not caused by his in-service pain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of left knee, left hip, and right hip conditions as secondary to a service-connected right knee condition due to inadequate VA examination reports and failure to provide proper medical opinions.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's lumbar strain, left shoulder derangement or impingement syndrome, and right leg/knee disability. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The VA is required to obtain additional evidence, including private treatment records, and provide new medical opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The claims for right and left knee disabilities, and sleep disorder are remanded due to incomplete VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disorder, which was previously denied due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability during service and no link between the condition and his right ankle fracture, has been reopened. The Board found that there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the left knee condition did not worsen during service and concluded that it is not secondary to his service-connected right ankle fracture.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to insufficient information regarding his service in the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, which is necessary for proper adjudication of all appealed issues.

The Veteran's appeals for left knee condition and right knee condition have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of cervical spine with radiculopathy, lumbar spine condition, respiratory condition, glaucoma (claimed as secondary to respiratory condition), stomach ulcer, and GERD.

The Veteran's right knee disability was present during service and has continued since then. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between current symptoms and service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service.,The Board also denied service connection for a bilateral lower extremity disorder, concluding that the Veteran's right knee strain is more likely due to a post-service accident rather than in-service injury.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to March 7, 2017. Service connection for low back disorder, left knee disorder, and bilateral hip disorder are denied as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for DJD of the left knee with patellar spurring, effective from July 19, 2016. For the period prior to July 19, 2016, the Veteran's entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and consideration of Gulf War criteria. The specific issues are related to bilateral shoulder, wrist and hand, low back, knee, ankle and foot disorders as well as tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lumbar spine, bilateral finger, bilateral knee, bilateral leg, and bilateral foot disabilities. The examiner concluded that the current diagnoses were not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, as there was no evidence showing he needed regular assistance from another person.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities are dismissed.,A TDIU is granted, effective December 1, 2017.