Knee Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The left knee disability claim is being remanded for a new VA examination, while the neuropathy of the left hand and hemorrhoids claims are also being remanded for additional development including obtaining service treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied service connection claim for right knee pain and found that new and material evidence had been received. The Veteran was diagnosed with chondromalacia patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee during service, which is considered a direct service connection.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disorders. The first issue is about increasing her disability rating for left knee arthralgia, and the second is about increasing her disability rating for recurrent subluxation of the left knee. Both require a new VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-surgery for meniscal repair, is rated at 20 percent effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and right knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was granted, with a 30 percent rating assigned for residuals of the left knee gunshot wound and osteoarthritis of the left knee. The ankylosis of the left knee is rated at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder strain, ankle and knee disabilities, back disability, and hypertension. The case will be remanded to obtain new VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the current ratings for the Veteran's right knee disability, which were granted in 2009. The Veteran needs a new examination and updated medical records to determine if his disability has worsened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability as there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking any present symptoms to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disorder is dismissed. Service connection is granted for both left and right knee disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of various disabilities and to obtain relevant VA treatment records. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the Veteran's dishonorable discharge from active military service. The tinnitus claim is granted, but other conditions are being remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations due to insufficient evidence, including a need for new VA examinations.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 10 percent ratings for his service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and iliotibial band syndrome, effective July 1, 2014.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as noncompensable prior to July 12, 2016. A separate rating of 10 percent for limitation of extension of the right knee is granted. The Veteran's left knee disability is also rated as noncompensable prior to July 12, 2016.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and chronic depression (secondary to bilateral knee osteoarthritis) must be remanded due to insufficient evidence in the VA examiner's opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating was dismissed. The appeal for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied, and the appeal for separate disability ratings affecting the left knee was granted to August 14, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral degenerative joint disease of the knees as it did not begin during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's dizziness, headaches, and pes planus of the left foot have been granted service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus has also been granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted. The increased rating for lateral instability of the left knee and separate compensable rating for residuals of dislocated cartilage of the left knee are granted, effective June 9, 2016. The issue of entitlement to a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disability is remanded. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a foot disability is also remanded.