Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disorders and residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of new and material evidence, resulting in a final decision. The appeal is denied.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent, as the current evidence does not support a higher rating under the criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine and LLE radiculopathy have been dismissed. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the appeals are still pending as they remain on remand due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and increased ratings for her left knee degenerative changes and right knee degenerative joint disease, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or chronicity of symptoms sufficient to establish service connection. The Board also found that the current disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his left and right foot disabilities, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee strain, lumbar spine strain with arthritis, and lower left radiculopathy. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to their interrelated nature.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained multisymptom illness is denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted effective February 6, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist disability, passive aggressive personality disorder, and hepatitis C have been reopened. The claim for bilateral knee disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for left and right knee disabilities, service connection for GERD, and service connection for right and left hand disabilities due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran's GERD is being examined again to determine if it is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction due to their association with the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The claims of entitlement to service connection for other conditions are remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for total left knee replacement and granted it, finding that the Veteran's condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right lower leg amputation. The hearing loss issue is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, left shoulder disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and other musculoskeletal issues, has been granted. However, some claims were remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 40 percent prior to March 17, 2010 and a separate 10 percent rating for lateral instability is granted. From May 1, 2011, the Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent under DC 5055 (status post total knee replacement). The Board finds that entitlement to TDIU prior to October 1, 2009 is remanded.

The appeals for service connection for various foot, ankle, knee, shoulder, and back disorders are dismissed. The appeal for service connection for a right foot disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of consideration of the Veteran's history, complaints, and lay statements. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his left knee disorders, which he claims are secondary to his right knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back and right hip disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The issues of service connection for left knee, left hip, neck, numbness and weakness of upper extremities, numbness and weakness of lower extremities, and PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's OSA, depressive disorder, right knee pain, left knee pain, and right ankle DJD are all granted service connection. The rating for chronic low back pain is increased to 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as diabetes mellitus. The issues are related to whether these conditions are linked to his military service.