Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability and denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from April 26, 1996 to June 27, 2008 for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.

A 10 percent evaluation for left knee ITBFS is granted effective April 4, 2013.

The Veteran's helicobacter infection is not service-connected as it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected GERD.,There is no current diagnosis of radiculopathy in either the right or left lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for hypertension, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral hearing loss due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for PTSD and service connection for erectile dysfunction, right knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and a left thigh scar have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss disability. Service connection for respiratory disorders (COPD, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia) related to asbestos and environmental exposures has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's IBS is granted a 30 percent rating.,Service connection for COPD and sleep disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Joint pain of ankles, knees, lower legs, shoulders, arms, and wrists are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,GERD and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,No effective date provided as the decision is for appeal purposes only.

The Board denied service connection for lung, right knee, left knee, and acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD) due to the Veteran's failure to report to scheduled examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, low back disability, and other joint disabilities due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic fatigue syndrome is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected internal derangement, left knee. The Board found that the evidence did not establish causation or aggravation in connection with his service-connected condition.

Service connection has been granted for left and right knee conditions.,The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities were denied as the effective dates cannot be earlier than May 4, 2012.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to lack of a justiciable case or controversy as there are no pending appeals in the legacy system regarding service connection for back disability, TDIU, and increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability, specifically instability and recurrent locking with joint pain and effusion, has been granted a 20 percent rating effective May 21, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's periods of service are unclear and requires further verification. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and obstructive sleep apnea due to exposure in Southwest Asia. The claims are being returned for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on whether the conditions are related to service or other factors.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee has been dismissed as it was included within her request to be placed in the AMA system, which encompasses all aspects of her service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and requesting SSA disability records. A new medical opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran's low back and right knee conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right and left shoulder bursitis, as well as his right and left knee degenerative changes and instability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess range of motion in both active and passive motions.