Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tremors of the right hand and arm, as well as his bilateral knee disorder. The VA will provide medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected right wrist disability, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and assistance, thus granting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, lumbar strain, left knee strain and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various joint disabilities are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to appear for scheduled VA examinations. The Board will provide another opportunity for the Veteran to undergo these examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disability, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded because the VA did not obtain updated treatment records and conduct adequate examinations.

The Veteran's left elbow disability is granted as incurred in service. Ratings for recurrent right knee subluxation or instability, right knee meniscus tear, and partial right knee meniscus removal are granted with specific periods of time.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to his left knee disability and consequent alcohol abuse. The issue of entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as no benefit remains to be awarded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for service-connected lumbar facet degeneration with sclerosis and DDD, left knee strain, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, cervical spine (neck) disability with muscle spasms, left shoulder disability with nerve damage, and left hip disability have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, joint swelling and stiffness, bilateral knee disability, back disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is set at November 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the record, specifically regarding the VA knee examinations used to determine a higher rating for limitation of motion associated with degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The Veteran's disability rating remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection, effective October 13, 2016.,Claims for left knee disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and PTSD were also granted, but the effective date is set at October 13, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for a separate rating for semilunar cartilage dislocation in each knee due to insufficient examination findings and medical determinations. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the knees include arthritis, instability, and crepitation.

The claim for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew the appeal within 60 days of the SSOC.,The claim for an increased rating for left knee disability was dismissed as the appellant withdrew the appeal within 60 days of the SSOC.,The claim for service connection for a right knee disability, secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, has been granted in full.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, left knee, right knee, and neck disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board dismissed the issues of increased ratings for left knee total joint replacement, painful scar of the left knee, and multiple scars of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted beginning December 1, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee osteoarthritis and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Board dismissed the appeal as there are no remaining issues to be decided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee limitation of flexion and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted. The claims for increased ratings for right ankle and right knee disabilities are remanded.