Knee Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the initial ratings and evaluations of his left knee disabilities prior to November 19, 2015.

The application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a neck disability was granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted, with the effective date being determined based on when entitlement arose.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records, specifically those from September 2013 and September 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle and left knee disabilities have been denied throughout the appellate period. The Board found that the severity of the left ankle disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, while the left knee disability was rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding that there was no evidence linking his current diagnoses to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for his claimed left elbow, left knee, and right knee disorders. As such, these claims are denied.,The Veteran's skin disorder, bilateral eye disorder, left and right shoulder disorders, and right elbow disorder were also remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded two cases involving the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities for further examination and clarification of his claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, thyroid condition, left knee condition, and hypertension due to unclear opinions regarding presumed herbicide exposure. The Veteran's left knee condition is also being remanded for a new opinion.

The Veteran's autoimmune disorder and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis are granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran had symptoms of an autoimmune disorder during service, which is considered direct service connection. The bilateral knee arthritis was also found to be aggravated by the service-connected autoimmune disorder.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and residuals of wounds to the left buttocks, left ankle, and left knee as there was no evidence of these conditions during or proximate to the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, but denied service connection for right knee and ankle disorders. The appeal regarding the right shoulder disorder is being remanded.,Service connection was granted for a low back disorder due to superimposed injury on a congenital defect of spina bifida occulta.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, specially adapted housing, and special home adaption grant due to the Veteran's right above the knee amputation. The claim will be reconsidered with a medical opinion on whether the amputation is related to diabetes mellitus or other service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disability, neck disability, and left great toe disability due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiner. The Veteran's disabilities are currently under development by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board has determined that the VA Regional Office (RO) did not fully comply with its May 2019 remand directives, and thus the claims for service connection are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and residuals of rhabdomyolysis, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent since June 7, 2016 and 10 percent prior to that date. The lumbar spine disability remains rated at 40 percent.,Service connection for a right hip disability, right shoulder disability, and left knee disability are remanded due to insufficient examination opinions addressing the required elements of service connection.,,

The Board has remanded the left knee increased rating claim for a new VA examination. The TDIU and SMC claims remain on appeal.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for Fuchs' corneal dystrophy has been denied.,Service connection for left knee disability is denied, as there is no evidence of chronic left knee arthritis within the applicable presumptive period and continuity of symptomatology is not established.,Service connection for seborrheic dermatitis is remanded due to a resurgence of symptoms including hair loss.,Service connection for hair loss is also remanded.