Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, but has remanded the issue of an earlier effective date due to the need to refer it to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected right knee arthritis due to inadequate examination and need for new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's VA Form 9 was untimely and denied his claims for service connection due to lack of timely appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, shoulder, ankle disabilities and heart disease due to insufficient medical evidence. The claims will be reconsidered on their merits without determining if new and material evidence was received.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder dislocation with rotator cuff tear, lumbar spine disc disease, and related conditions was denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for plantar fasciitis and right knee disability has been remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The Veteran requested to withdraw her claim of service connection for plantar fasciitis, but the issue remains pending as it was withdrawn by her representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee condition as new and material evidence was not submitted, and the claim remains closed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder, specifically whether it is related to his military service or bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the current right knee arthritis and active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition and an increased rating for PTSD. The evidence did not support finding that the Veteran's current conditions began during service or were related to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, ankle, and foot disorders due to inadequate VA examination opinions and unobtained workers' compensation records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and refer the case for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for arthritis of the joints, excluding bilateral knee arthritis is denied as there is no evidence that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for a back disability is denied as there is no evidence that this condition began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board granted separate 10 percent ratings for instability of the right and left knees, but denied increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right knee and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee from January 31, 2007 to May 2012.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis was granted a rating of 30 percent from August 21, 2019 to January 13, 2020. Postoperative residuals of patella tendon rupture were also granted but at a lower rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for back and right knee disabilities, as well as the TDIU prior to September 29, 2015.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips and knees were not incurred in service, nor are they otherwise related to his service. The Board denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to neck and right knee disabilities, as well as his lay statements regarding ongoing symptoms since in-service accidents.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection as they are related to a deceased Veteran.

The appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and the TDIU claim from January 20, 2010 to October 28, 2014 are dismissed. The effective date earlier than June 2, 2009 for the award of service connection for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage of the right knee is remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure at Korat RTAFB Thailand. The left knee and breathing issues are remanded for further examination.