Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for lateral instability. The right knee disability is rated at 20 percent.,The Board denied increased ratings for both the left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate consideration of his lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's hypertension with chronic renal insufficiency is rated at 60 percent since August 26, 2010. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating and has remanded the issue for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left knee and back disabilities, as well as a claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities because the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including neck strain, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and right knee disability. The decision is based on insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The appeal regarding an entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability is dismissed.,The appeal regarding whether new and material evidence to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability is dismissed.,The appeal regarding an entitlement to service connection for a right-side, upper neuropathy is dismissed.,The appeal regarding an entitlement to service connection for a right-side, lower neuropathy is dismissed.,New and material evidence to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability has not been received.,New and material evidence to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for multiple sclerosis has not been received.,Evidence submitted subsequent to the January 2005 rating decision that denied service connection for tinnitus is not cumulative or redundant of evidence previously of record, relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims, and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee disability was denied. He is currently rated at 10 percent for the condition, with an additional 10 percent assigned for removal of symptomatic semilunar cartilage.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders due to inadequate medical opinions. The case must be returned for a new VA examination to address all appropriate theories of entitlement, including secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current knee disabilities and his military service, as well as their relation to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee pain, left knee pain, low back pain, and bilateral glaucoma due to incomplete information regarding his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The claims must be remanded for additional development including obtaining a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, right knee disability, and back disability as there was no evidence of in-service onset or nexus to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, right ankle and knee disabilities, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and lumbar strain due to the need for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA benefits prior to June 20, 2011 were denied as the evidence did not show he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent for GERD, right knee contusion with clinical lateral meniscus tear, and lumbar spondylosis and lumbar muscle spasm. The Veteran's joint complaints are related to his bilateral hands, knees, and shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at the maximum allowed under the applicable diagnostic codes, with no additional evaluations granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right rib and right knee disorders due to inadequate medical opinions addressing the Veteran's credible testimony regarding continuous symptoms since military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a lumbar spine condition, and a right knee condition have been granted.,Other issues such as the right arm nerve problem with tingling from fingers to shoulder and the right leg condition are still pending.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and granted a 10% rating for the Veteran's right knee disability prior to November 1, 2007. However, it also denied any higher ratings for the right knee disability since that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU. The right knee disability is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examination report and for further development, including obtaining outstanding records and providing a new VA examination.