Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease is denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or limitation of motion to 30 degrees.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, ischemic heart disease (IHD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee with degenerative changes, and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee with degenerative changes did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and TDIU was denied in September 2008, which became final. The Board found that it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran had a worsening of his left knee disability or became unable to work within a year prior to his January 31, 2014 claim for increased rating and TDIU. Therefore, an effective date earlier than December 16, 2013 for TDIU benefits is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability, and rating in excess of 70 percent for mood disorder due to inadequate examinations and new evidence.

The Board denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, and right knee conditions. The claim for a left knee condition was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee arthritis is due to a physical trauma he experienced during service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if any of the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to their severity and combination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current knee disability and in-service injuries.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the Veteran's representative requested withdrawal of all appeals prior to a decision.

The Board has remanded several claims for further examination and evaluation, including those related to left shoulder strain, sacroiliac injury, bilateral knee tendonitis/tendonosis, IBS, and allergies. Higher initial ratings have been granted in a previous rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee strain disability, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his notice of disagreement with the May 2015 rating decision was not timely filed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 40 percent disabling. The Board has denied a higher rating for this condition. The claim of entitlement to TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted. However, due to possible worsening of symptoms since his last examination in January 2017, the claim must be remanded for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's application for VA pension benefits is denied because he did not serve during a period of war, and therefore does not meet the eligibility requirements.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from December 6, 2017 to August 30, 2018. The RO reduced the rating for his left lower extremity disability from 20 percent to zero percent effective July 1, 2017 and restored it to 20 percent thereafter. He is also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee disability is remanded for further development as the claim was previously denied in March 1957 due to lack of evidence. New and material evidence has been received, but service connection remains on the merits.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for service connection and evaluations related to various conditions. The Veteran's VA treatment records from specific time periods are requested, as well as a medical examination to assess the nature and etiology of chronic kidney disease and PTSD.