Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to unclear documentation and the need for clarification of diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial and subsequent ratings for his left knee disability, left shoulder disability, PTSD, and residual scar related to the chin are being remanded due to procedural issues and need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection to a TDIU were denied. The left knee arthritis and instability are rated at the lowest possible levels, and there is no evidence of individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes. The Board found that the current evaluations of 10 percent are appropriate given the Veteran’s symptoms, which include pain but no significant limitation in range of motion or instability.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been caused by noise exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia were denied an increased rating as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis, hypertension, and knee disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran was found unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected left knee and right wrist disabilities throughout the appeal prior to October 29, 2015.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is granted service connection. The low back condition and left hand condition are remanded for further examination and opinion. The initial ratings for the left elbow fracture and wrist fracture are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee condition was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 31, 2015.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for left knee strain and chondromalacia, right knee instability, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The Veteran is now receiving a separate 10 percent evaluation for left knee instability and a combined 20 percent evaluation for right knee instability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with no separate ratings for instability. The current evaluations are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.,Higher ratings for traumatic arthritis and instability in both knees were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including strain, meniscal tear, and degenerative changes, is service-connected as it was incurred during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition and a back condition, both secondary to service-connected bilateral ankle sprains. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus.,Additional issues of left knee condition, right foot condition, and breathing condition are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist, right ankle, left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The right and left knee disabilities are remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left and right knee disabilities due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination and remand instructions not being followed. The Veteran's back disability claim is also remanded as it did not comply with the remand instructions.