Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral great toes, bilateral ankle disability, lumbar spine disability as secondary to service-connected arterial reconstruction left lower extremity, and bilateral hip disability as secondary to service-connected arterial reconstruction left lower extremity have been denied. The right knee disability claim has not met the criteria for a rating more than 10 percent.,The Veteran's depression claim has not met the criteria for a rating more than 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right knee disability (claimed as knee pain), left shoulder disability, ear pain, and sinus pain due to incomplete development of evidence and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate prior examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive and generalized anxiety disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, hypertensive heart disease, instability of the left knee, limitation of motion of the left knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to his claimed conditions, or the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes were not met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since April 1, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his service-connected conditions make it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, low back disability, and left knee disability. The claims are remanded to allow for further development including examinations.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and meniscal issues, is rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's left knee disability has not manifested chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness, ankylosis, limitation of extension to 30 degrees, or impairment of the tibia and fibula. The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for his left knee disability.

A rating of 30 percent for seborrheic dermatitis is granted, effective September 15, 2016. The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder and right ankle disorder are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left hand disability, and right hand disability, require further examination to determine their etiology. The initial compensable rating claim for hypertension is also remanded.

The Veteran's applications to reopen claims for sleep apnea and left knee disability were denied, as the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims. The application to increase the rating of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was also denied, with the Board finding that the symptoms did not warrant a 100% rating due to the absence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations. The issues include left elbow, back, TBI, headaches, neck, and left knee/leg conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee arthritis due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations, particularly regarding functional loss during flare-ups and repetitive use. The AOJ will also review his TDIU claim as it is inextricably intertwined with his right knee disability claims.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected ankle disability.,The Veteran's back disability is found to be aggravated by his service-connected ankle disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The claims for hypertension, skin disability (claimed as hydraulic burns), head trauma residuals (claimed as dementia), and dental disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis left knee and right knee (claimed as baker’s cyst) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the appellant's current right leg disability and his service, including a jump from a falling bulldozer.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation.