Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total disability rating based on the need for convalescence following surgical treatment of his service-connected right knee disability was denied as untimely filed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional development being required, including obtaining Army Reserve records and private or VA treatment records. The Veteran is also to be afforded new VA examinations for his bilateral knee disability, Gulf War Syndrome, undiagnosed illness, and medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses including dizziness and fatigue, as well as his heart disability (CAD).

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to determine if a right knee disorder is related to service and if a left knee disorder is secondary to a right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and sinus disability, as well as the need to obtain VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee degenerative arthritis, diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction, and major depressive disorder. The current disability ratings of 10 percent for each condition are maintained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral shoulder disability, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral knee disability, and GERD due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms since his last VA examination in February 2012. The Veteran will need to undergo additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for new examinations. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of headaches due to new and material evidence. The claims for increased ratings for left knee and back disabilities are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is granted a 40% rating effective May 23, 2016. The right knee disability remains at a 10% rating prior to August 23, 2012 and from December 31, 2012 to April 2, 2014.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right knee, right ankle, left knee, low back, hallux valgus deformity (right first metatarsophalangeal joint), and meralgia paresthetica disabilities as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and a temporary total disability rating following left knee surgery. The Veteran's depression was rated at 60 percent, with the possibility of an increased rating to 70 percent if he could not maintain employment due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his service-connected lumbar spine condition, bilateral knee conditions, and pes planus was dismissed as he withdrew the claim. The appeals for tingling and numbness in the right shoulder and a respiratory disorder were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted initial non-compensable evaluations for low back strain prior to June 16, 2017, and a 10% evaluation since then. Claims for bilateral hearing loss, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, right knee disorder, and facial swelling/numbness were remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of motion of the left knee is remanded. The claims for TDIU are also being developed by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to lack of medical documentation in the Veteran's service treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of the record.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and left knee disabilities, but remanded the right knee disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease and COPD have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for left foot, right foot, and restless leg syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to pending claims that could impact the TDIU determination. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded until all service connection and new and material evidence issues are resolved.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for RPPS of the right knee and spontaneous pneumothorax with restrictive lung disease have been denied as there is no evidence supporting a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.