Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted service connection. Service connection for left lower extremity shin splints, left shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and coccyx disorder are denied. The bilateral hip disorders' service connection claim is remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was denied. The appeal is also denied as the Veteran does not meet criteria for a separate 10% rating for instability of the right knee, and he does not have ankylosis or other conditions warranting additional ratings under relevant Diagnostic Codes.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder because no VA examiner has opined whether the Veteran’s current right knee disorder is due to service. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder condition, but denied service connection for a right knee condition due to the lack of current evidence.

The Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left knee internal derangement and tricompartmental osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations that comply with VA examination guidelines.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is granted.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, headache disorder, bowel disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease (DJD) and bilateral shoulder bursitis.

The Board dismissed the appeals on all issues related to service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as a low back disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing that these conditions had their onset during or within one year after his military service.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to the lack of current diagnoses, inconsistent reports from the Veteran, and insufficient evidence connecting any reported injuries or surgeries during service.

The Veteran's left knee replacement is rated at 30 percent since March 1, 2015. The Board has found the evidence does not support a higher rating.,For his ring finger conditions, the Veteran was granted a 20% rating effective February 18, 2016. However, he contends that the current ratings do not reflect the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine condition, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations. The cases are being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to outstanding relevant evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's flat feet are granted an increased rating to 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus and various musculoskeletal disorders.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to new evidence received. The claims are now remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a spine condition, bilateral knee condition, acquired psychological disorder (including bipolar disorder), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of various knee conditions and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders and granted them. Service connection was denied previously due to a lack of evidence showing aggravation during service, but new evidence now suggests a possible link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his knee and hip disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and remanded the issues of entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected lumbar spine, right shoulder, and right forearm disabilities. The case is now pending for further examination and evaluation.