Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC benefits. The appeals are remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection claims and rating determinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PVD, residuals of a right foot amputation, and left knee total replacement due to conflicting medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee chondromalacia, PTSD, and TDIU need to be remanded due to inadequate examinations and outstanding records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee arthritis and instability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, respiratory condition, high blood pressure, skin condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than schizophrenia). The reasons are to obtain missing personnel records and service treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran's representative has withdrawn the appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for a left ankle disability and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral knee conditions due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate VA examination reports regarding functional loss during flare-ups and repeated use over time.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional opinions regarding his low back condition, left shoulder injury, neck condition, and dizziness or balance issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar arthritis, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for post-operative residuals of a left knee injury is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. A new examination is needed to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. The Board also remanded for additional examinations of his right and left knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and denied entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, and left knee replacement residuals. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for various knee and foot conditions. The appeal is also remanded for additional development of records from SSA and VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and reopened the claim for service connection for a right hip disability as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's appeal is granted on reopening, but not on merits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and knee conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's military service and training environment contributed to his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome with symptomatic chondromalacia of the patella with synovitis, right knee, and left knee have been denied as his flexion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5020.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for the right knee osteoarthritis and subluxation issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include arthritis, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of increased ratings for residuals of stress fractures of the left and right tibia, service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, and TDIU.