Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative osteoarthritis of the left knee, status post arthroplasty, is rated at 60 percent effective December 1, 2004.

The Veteran's left knee disability and multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability and his claimed left knee disability. The VA examiner did not provide a clear opinion on whether the left knee disability is related to service, caused by the service-connected left ankle disability, or aggravated by it.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for cracked femur and bilateral hip condition, but denied for DJD of the left knee, DDD of the lumbar spine, and skin rash. The Veteran is also remanded for additional development regarding his foot and ankle conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right hip, left knee, right knee, and right foot disabilities due to their potential secondary relationship with a service-connected left ankle disability. The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for his left ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current functional impairment is related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examination and medical records, particularly regarding the Veteran's in-service arthritis diagnosis. The Veteran must be provided with another VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran raising a claim for total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) during the pendency of his rating issues. The TDIU issue is now part of the rating issues and must be addressed by the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. He has failed to cooperate with development of the claim to the extent that it can not be substantiated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the right knee disability is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee, right knee, lumbar spine, and left ankle disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denies his claim for TDIU.

The claims for service connection for high cholesterol, hearing loss (right ear), chronic lumbar spine disability (back condition), sleep condition, right knee condition (right leg condition), and left knee condition (left leg condition) have been dismissed.,The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a reduction in rating for his right shoulder disability and ratings for his lumbar spine, knee, and lower extremity radiculopathies. The appeal also includes an issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The claim for service connection of right ankle arthritis was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The temporary total evaluation based on convalescence from left knee disability is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for various disabilities due to outstanding records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will need to provide additional treatment records, including those from private providers. He will also be provided with new examinations related to his psychiatric disorder, hypertension, lung disability, left shoulder, back, knee, and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of increased ratings for service-connected left knee disabilities. The Board found that the current ratings are appropriate, but noted that a TDIU claim should be addressed.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The right ankle, left knee, and back disabilities were remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's Bell’s palsy is granted, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding other service-connected claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.,The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his knee conditions, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, lumbar spine disorder, thoracic spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, neurological deficits, carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder.