Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the claims for extraschedular ratings for right knee instability and semilunar lunar cartilage condition, finding that the Veteran's disability picture was not so unusual or exceptional in nature as to render the schedular evaluation inadequate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide any outstanding treatment records and will be scheduled for a new VA examination with an orthopedist.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for his right knee disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His initial compensable evaluation for right shoulder tendonitis prior to January 16, 2013 and subsequent evaluations in excess of 10 percent since that date are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to comply with prior directives.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance was denied because he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities, which do not require him to be in bed or unable to perform daily activities.

The Board has decided that the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability is remanded due to new evidence being added to the record since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his depressive disorder is denied. The Board also granted the Veteran's TDIU claim, finding that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hearing loss and PTSD have been granted increased ratings, while the hip and knee conditions remain at noncompensable levels. The Board has remanded for further development regarding earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or instability warranting an increased evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for right knee strain with medullary bone infarct proximal diaphysis before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, right thumb disability, left eye disability, and tinnitus due to inadequate examination opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU appeal is denied.

The Veteran's right knee and right foot conditions are granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.,A 20 percent disability rating is granted for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on his left foot injury, painful scar, and linear scar have been withdrawn.,The Board has also dismissed the appeal regarding a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right knee disability. The claim is remanded due to new evidence suggesting worsening of the condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right and left knee disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a thoracolumbar spine disability due to additional examination being necessary.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) because his service-connected left knee disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to December 12, 2016, for the award of service connection for right and left knee instability disorders are dismissed as they will be addressed in a separate decision once the March 2018 Remand requirement is fulfilled.