Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's left knee disability is being reviewed again for service connection, specifically whether it is related to his in-service low back disability or if it began during service.

The Board denied an effective date prior to January 23, 1998 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was found not to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to conflicting opinions on whether obesity is a substantial factor in causing his spine condition. The rating decisions for right and left knee disabilities remain unchanged.

The Board has found that the Veteran's pending VA examinations for his service-connected right knee and back disabilities must be obtained before a final decision can be made on his increased rating claims.

The Veteran's right hearing loss disability is not supported by the evidence of record.,There is no current diagnosis or treatment for a right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, or cervical spine disability (degenerative disc disease).,The Board finds that service connection for these conditions cannot be granted as there is insufficient evidence to establish the presence of a current disability.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The left knee disability receives a separate rating for instability, effective May 14, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation of his right knee disability and TDIU due to inadequate examination in November 2019. The Veteran needs a total right knee arthroplasty, but the current rating does not reflect this need.

The Veteran's lung disorder, claimed as lung cancer, is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for the Veteran's dental condition for compensation purposes is denied because there is no indication that he has a compensable disability related to his military service.,Service connection for bilateral knee disability is denied as there is insufficient evidence linking the condition to service.,The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is denied due to lack of evidence showing inability to secure or follow gainful employment.,Special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand and left knee conditions due to inadequate medical opinions addressing secondary causation.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left knee iliotibial band syndrome and right knee patellar tendonitis were increased to 10 percent effective January 1, 2013. The claims are being remanded due to the need for a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) with additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, back, and left hip disabilities as well as PTSD due to insufficient evidence or examination. The Veteran's statements of in-service injuries and duties are considered.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating for total right knee replacement has been withdrawn, and the issue of an effective date prior to February 15, 2018 for TDIU remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to conflicting evidence regarding his range of motion and functional loss. The case will be returned after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hip disability, right shoulder disability, left ring finger disability, and bilateral knee disability. The case is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a dispute over when the Veteran's TDIU should have been granted, and will be reviewed by the Director of Compensation Service for an extraschedular determination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of her service-connected bilateral pes planus, cold weather injury of bilateral toes, and hallux valgus. The RO is also instructed to obtain any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a previous denial of his increased rating claim and service connection claim. The left knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, while the kidney failure claim remains pending.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims related to his right knee, low back, and right hip disabilities due to their withdrawal by the Veteran's attorney.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating for his left knee disorder and TDIU is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.