Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple disabilities, including head injuries and knee issues. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly assess the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than September 2, 2015 for TDIU and basic eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35 (DEA). The cases are being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of whether TDIU is warranted on an extraschedular basis. Additional development may be needed based on new evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are inadequate, as well as new evidence pertaining to these conditions. Additionally, there is new evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. The case is therefore being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and disability ratings for his back disorder, surgical scars of the left knee, left total knee replacement, and left knee instability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee patellar chondromalacia, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further evaluation.

The Board dismissed claims for service connection for right knee disability and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The claim for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU beginning March 22, 2010. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis before March 22, 2010 remains in appellate status.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left and right knee disabilities were denied as there was no claim prior to January 31, 2014.

The Veteran's right knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for further examination to determine if there is any additional functional loss due to flare-ups or repeated use over time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his bilateral knee disability, finding that there was not enough evidence to show it was incurred in service or related to any existing service-connected condition.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for hammer toe of the left second toe, status post operative repair. Service connection for left knee disability and hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease, spinal stenosis, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, osteoarthritis of the hips and knees, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right knee disorders due to his incarceration, requiring VA to attempt to obtain examinations at a correctional facility or arrange for an examination by qualified medical professionals.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to active duty service.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability and gastrointestinal disability was granted. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD is also granted, but the TDIU (total disability rating based on individual unemployability) due to service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Veteran's anemia is rated as noncompensable, and the right and left ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The scars are rated at 10 percent. The left knee and right knee arthropathies are both rated at 10 percent. The left shoulder and right shoulder rotator tendinopathies are each rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's anemia is not compensable, as her hemoglobin levels have been above the threshold for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of a link between her current disability and her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression), and a personality disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence of current disabilities or chronic conditions related to service.,Service connection cannot be established as the preponderance of the evidence does not support the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to service-connected burial benefits, finding that malaria was a contributing factor in his death.