Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete evidence and a canceled hearing. The claims for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, degenerative joint disease lumbar spine, right ankle disorder, coronary artery disease (claimed as heart attack and heart problems), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee disability due to new medical evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: service connection for a left knee disorder, residuals of frostbite of the toes, and depression. The Veteran's claims are being sent back for further examination and review.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for knee and foot disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after further examination and review of the evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his left hip disability. The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU based on these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed as he withdrew them. The claim of entitlement to a TDIU was granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's preexisting left knee disability was aggravated by service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for his left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue regarding an acquired psychiatric disability is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, including left and right shoulder, cervical spine, hip, knee, ankle, and foot conditions. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine injury with subsequent osteoarthritis (curved spine), pinched nerve of the cervical spine, mild degenerative changes in the left leg and knee, and prostate cancer, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. As a result, his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on PTSD and right knee disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim, are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee infection, Barrett's esophagus, and a cognitive disorder manifested by memory loss as the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety) are found to be related to his service.,Service connection is granted for left knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, foot fungus, and headaches.

The Veteran's bilateral shin splints are granted a 10% rating, but no higher. The claim for service connection of the left knee strain with degenerative joint disease is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left or right knee disabilities, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's right thigh numbness, diagnosed as meralgia paresthetica, is granted service connection. For the left and right shoulder disabilities prior to August 25, 2015, a 10 percent rating is granted for each. The Veteran's left knee disability and right knee disability are also granted a 10 percent rating prior to May 29, 2015. For urinary calculi (kidney stones), the Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating prior to August 25, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee disability, right ankle disability, sarcoidosis, and a higher rating for lumbar strain due to additional medical development and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depression and orthopedic conditions such as left knee and right thumb injuries, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for a right shoulder disorder is also denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the current condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep impairment is being remanded due to its inextricability with his claims for bronchitis and left knee disability. The other issues will be addressed separately.