Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not related to his service, and it is more likely due to post-service events. The claim for secondary service connection based on a service-connected left knee disability was also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including examinations to clarify diagnoses and determine etiology. The issues of service connection are being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right foot, and right knee disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the current conditions did not manifest within one year of separation from service and are more likely due to natural aging process.

The Veteran's degenerative changes of the left knee are granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher. Service connection for atopic dermatitis is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his right ankle and right leg disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability is granted at 40 percent since January 24, 2008. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and erectile dysfunction, as well as rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluations for left eye pterygium and right eye pterygium due to incomplete examination reports. The issues are related to his in-service twisted knee, tearing complaints, and post-operative scarring.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a left knee disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The evidence submitted was considered cumulative and redundant of previous contentions.

The Veteran's clothing was damaged by his knee braces and topical medication for service-connected conditions. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the damage caused by the knee braces, but denied the claim for the topical medication.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by pain and tenderness but no instability or other significant functional loss, is rated at 10 percent under the criteria for limitation of motion. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of additional functional loss due to pain, weakness, fatigue, incoordination, or flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disabilities and his claim for TDIU due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand orders.

Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder and the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disorders are found to be the primary cause of his current major depressive disorder. The Veteran's other service-connected conditions do not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and service connection of rheumatoid arthritis, including from anthrax vaccinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any impairment or diagnoses of a headache disability or disabilities of the hip, knees, legs, ankles, feet, a deviated septum, or a heart disability related to his active service.

The Veteran's effective date for residuals from total left knee replacement surgery is granted as of March 25, 2013. A TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include service connection for various conditions, with some requiring initial compensable ratings.

The Veteran's low back disability is now rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision.,The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is now rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including fibromyalgia and elbow/knee disabilities. The case is being returned to the RO for additional development, including obtaining training dates from the Army Reserve Unit and scheduling a VA examination.