Knee Board decisions

The claim for service connection of depression was granted in full. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease, intervertebral disc syndrome is denied. The claims for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination and the need for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbar strain is related to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's left thumb disability has been granted a 10 percent rating, while his left knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating. The claims for service connection of the lumbar spine, stomach disability, and scar residual are remanded due to new evidence. A separate additional rating is also requested for the left knee ganglion cyst.

The Veteran's 40% rating for left knee moderate osteoarthritis has been restored, effective August 1, 2011. The appeal regarding an effective date prior to August 1, 2011 is dismissed as moot due to the restoration of the 40% rating. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee, right shoulder, and left wrist arthritis have been granted service connection. The Veteran also received separate disability ratings for his left knee flexion, extension, and instability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and an acquired psychological disorder (including PTSD and depression) are all granted. The Veteran is also granted a compensable rating for his right ear hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance and housebound status. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA treatment records, arrange for an aid and attendance examination, and provide opinions on whether the Veteran needs regular aid and assistance or is permanently housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded three separate claims for additional development due to the need for updated treatment records and VA examinations. The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being evaluated further.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities including left shoulder, right shoulder, back, left knee, and bilateral eye conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses or functional impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examinations and a need for further development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an examination by an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to incomplete development, including a need for a VA examination and a retrospective medical opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional medical records from Dr. Lozman.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lower back, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities. The claims of service connection for these conditions are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the inadequacy of the April 2013 VA examination and the need for new opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle, right hip, left knee, and low back conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his non-psychiatric service-connected disabilities. Other claims are also being considered.

Service connection for left knee pain has been granted. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine disorder and right wrist disorder have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's initial request for a higher rating for his right knee meniscal tear with partial ACL injury was denied. A separate 20 percent rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage prior to November 18, 2009, and a separate 10 percent rating for right knee meniscectomy from May 15, 2012, were granted.