Knee Board decisions

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its prior remand and has ordered the RO to obtain outstanding evidence, contact the Veteran for his current address and contact information, and schedule a VA examination for the Veteran's knee and ankle disabilities. The claims are being remanded for these actions.

An effective date of March 25, 2009 is granted for the assignment of a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella was rated at 10 percent since March 25, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings on multiple knee and eye conditions is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 60 percent disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae with scar is granted. The Board finds that his condition had increased in severity prior to May 9, 2016 and thus grants the earlier effective date of July 22, 2015.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, leaving no issues remaining for review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee pain, left knee condition, and bilateral knee condition was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the Board found that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service. Therefore, the claims were denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral knee disability have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his back disability and clarification of his employment history for TDIU consideration.

The Veteran's low back disability has been restored to a 40% rating effective July 1, 2016.,The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his low back disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The Veteran's right knee arthritis is considered related to service, but his hearing loss claim requires further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for her right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations conducted in December 2014 and July 2018. The Veteran needs a new VA examination during a flare-up or after repetitive use over time, with an assessment of functional loss during such periods.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the entire appeal period. The right shoulder disability is granted an initial 20 percent rating from June 25, 2011 and denied any higher ratings thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for TBI and service connection for a right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for right ear otitis media.

The Veteran's claims for left knee iliotibial band syndrome, thyroid condition, bilateral hearing loss disability, sleep apnea, and spine disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied a higher rating for tension-type headaches and granted service connection for tinnitus. The right knee disability issue is remanded due to incomplete examination.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted. The reduction of the evaluation of chronic bronchitis from 10 percent to 0 percent effective May 1, 2016 was proper. Other claims for service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's right knee ITBS was diagnosed during her active duty service and she is still currently diagnosed with right knee ITBS. The weight of the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran’s right knee condition is related to her in-service right knee problems. Service connection for right knee ITBS is granted. However, there is no evidence linking the left knee ITBS or back condition to active duty service.