Knee Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disorder, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and bilateral foot disorder (paraplegia) as they are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for various service-connected conditions were denied. The lumbar sprain and cervical spine degenerative arthritis prior to August 24, 2011 are rated at 20 percent each, but not higher. Other conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claims have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the right shoulder, left shoulder and bilateral knee disability claims before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, and TDIU due to in-service service connection issues and need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 60 percent for palmar keratoderma with xerosis, pruritis, and dermographism is denied. The claims for higher initial ratings for left knee meniscal tear with chondromalacia and right knee joint space narrowing are also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including knee and ankle conditions as well as sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, require additional medical examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee and left foot conditions, finding that these conditions had their onset during his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and hip DJD were granted service connection as they are considered direct service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's right foot and left foot disorders, other than pes planus with plantar fasciitis, have not been linked to his service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee condition, and neck condition due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran served as a casket bearer during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and back disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered in forming opinions on causation.

Service connection is granted for residuals of a left knee contusion, to include strain and arthritis; service connection is also granted for residuals of a right knee contusion, to include strain and arthritis. Service connection for gastrointestinal disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to comply with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was denied. He is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion, with separate ratings for slight instability and symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headache disability, back disability, right knee disability, and right shoulder disability due to a lack of current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to additional development being required. The issues are related to whether his current knee conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee, low back, left ankle, and right ankle disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.