Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the appeal period.

The Board has ordered additional development due to deficiencies in the VA examination, including missing joint testing and consideration of lay statements.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral patellar chondromalacia was granted, with the Board finding that his current condition is not related to service. The Veteran had a preexisting knee disability but it did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied. The left wrist, left knee, left shoulder, and right ankle disabilities have been rated as appropriate under the applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's request for a clothing allowance for his bilateral knee braces due to wear and tear on his clothing was denied as there is no objective evidence showing such wear and tear occurred in 2017.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and related residuals are not service connected, while his right and left knee disabilities have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and TBI residuals was denied. The right ankle injury, right ear hearing loss, and right knee disorder were remanded due to insufficient examination findings.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss and a right knee disorder is also pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee strains, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding higher initial disability ratings for bilateral shoulder rotator cuff dysfunction and entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee condition before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his right knee scar and overall disability rating have been dismissed as they are attempts to establish freestanding claims, not appeals of final decisions.

The Board has decided that a remand is needed for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's left knee conditions, as his condition may have worsened since the last examination.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings possible based on the current evidence. The Veteran’s rheumatic fever disability is currently not rated due to lack of associated joint impairment.,Rheumatic fever residuals need further evaluation by a VA examiner to determine if they warrant a compensable rating.

The veteran's claim for loan guaranty benefits is remanded due to the unresolved issue of his left knee disability, which affects his eligibility. The Board has deferred this appeal until the underlying service connection issue is resolved.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are granted as secondary to service-connected ankle disabilities. The Veteran's muscle spasms disability is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for CFS, and entitlement to service connection for shortness of breath. The Veteran's appeal is being held due to incomplete information and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to November 3, 2015 and September 14, 2008 for the grants of service connection for GERD and right knee strain have been denied.,The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed for both GERD and right knee strain.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as neuropathy of the left lower extremity, are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service personnel records, particularly regarding active duty for training and inactive duty training periods in December 1999. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee disability and for a TDIU due to the need for additional evidence, including medical records from private providers. The Veteran will be asked to provide information about these providers, and he will undergo a new examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability.

The appeal for service connection for leukopenia is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis, left shoulder osteoarthritis with chronic tendonitis and impingement syndrome, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, right knee chondromalacia of the patella, and sleep apnea are remanded.