Knee Board decisions

Service connection for depression is granted. The claims for higher initial disability ratings for right ankle and left knee disabilities, as well as the claim for an earlier effective date for left knee scar, are dismissed. Service connection for a right knee disability and a left ankle disability is remanded. The claim for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied. The claim for an increased rating for sinusitis is denied.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the knees, ankles, and hands as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's ear, shoulder, hip, knee, and neurological disabilities. The VA examiner did not consider the effects of constant deep sea diving during service on these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities. The case is now REMANDED for additional examinations and opinions regarding various other issues, including service connection for right hand/wrist, bilateral ankle, hip, and shoulder disabilities; initial ratings for knee and lumbar spine disabilities; and a TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip arthritis and bilateral knee disabilities, but has remanded the cases of left foot disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, Graves' disease, and lumbar spine disability. The rating for right femur and hip disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's initial requests for increased ratings for his left and right knee chondromalacia were denied. Separate 30 percent ratings are granted for the Veteran’s left and right knee chondromalacia from November 30, 2009 and continuing thereafter.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, but denied his request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral knee condition.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and a left knee condition, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder claim is remanded as it requires further examination to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as he meets the schedular rating requirements for assignment of a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board also found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and low back disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The claims for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, bilateral pes planus, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's right knee injury is not considered to be caused by VA care, treatment or examination. The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete records, including workers' compensation records. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his right knee disability is related to service.

The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected left knee disability prior to June 16, 2010. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis from June 1, 2009.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate and requires additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, bilateral foot, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions. The issues include left knee, right knee, diabetes mellitus, left eye disability (including glaucoma), erectile dysfunction, bilateral kidney disability, and anemia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected left wrist scaphoid fracture and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease due to insufficient evidence from recent VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. However, the case is remanded as further examination and development are needed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability, irritable bowel syndrome, dental trauma to two front teeth, bilateral knee disorder, residuals of a right fifth finger injury, and sinus condition. The VA is required to schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine if any current right hip disability is related to active service or events therein, including the alleged inservice right hip injury. Additionally, the Board must issue a statement of the case addressing whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, residuals of a right fifth finger injury, and a sinus condition.