Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating or an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for TBI, Alzheimer’s disease, headaches, low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, right ankle disability, and heart disability. The hearing loss claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and also requested additional information regarding his periods of active duty. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, pulmonary disability, heart disability, Parkinson’s disease, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee bursitis and remanded the issues of service connection for right rotator cuff tear, plantar fasciitis, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are currently pending.

The Board has found that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as an increased rating for his left shoulder disability. The case is being remanded for further examination and review.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for limitation of flexion and a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. The Board has granted these ratings.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, but denied both claims.,Service connection was not established for either left or right knee disability as they did not begin in service or within one year thereafter and are not etiologically related to an in-service event or injury.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims and subsequent submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for psoriasis and sinusitis has been denied. The Board also found that the Veteran needs to be examined for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as a sleep disorder.,Service connection is remanded for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities and sleep disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, left knee disability, eye disorder, hearing loss disability, and respiratory disease. The appellant did not meet the criteria for service connection on a direct basis.,There is no evidence of chronic or identifiable disabilities in service, nor any nexus to service.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, back, and right great toe disorders as the evidence did not support a nexus to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for post traumatic headaches, an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hand tremors, and entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation beginning June 10, 2013. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral ear condition, and bilateral eye condition.

The Veteran's total bilateral knee replacement is granted as related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis, is found to be related to service and granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including residuals of a left knee arthrotomy and degenerative joint disease, is rated at 10 percent. The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee arthrotomy was denied, but a separate 10 percent rating for degenerative joint disease was granted.