Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a psychiatric disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for the Veteran's mood disorder and has determined that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The right knee disorder was not found to be related to service.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders and left knee disorder. The case is remanded for further examination regarding a back disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current right knee disorder is related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's current left knee disability, headaches, and sleep problems are related to his service.

The Veteran's mild facet arthropathy (claimed as low back injury) and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted service connection. The right shoulder disability, left knee replacement, right knee replacement, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are denied service connection.

The appeals regarding the rating reduction for left knee and higher disability ratings for right knee have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral total knee replacement and lumbosacral strain have rendered him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience since March 1, 2011.

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is reopened and the claim is granted to this extent only. The other issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD. The right knee disability is remanded and will be evaluated separately.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including degenerative joint disease, is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected TBI.,The Veteran's low back and left knee disorders have been remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for low back and right knee disorders due to the need for additional medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, thoracic spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's asthma disability was also not granted a compensable rating prior to January 16, 2015.,There is no current diagnosis of any of the claimed conditions at any time relevant to the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board denied the claim for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected left knee disabilities prior to December 6, 2006. The evidence showed that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reduction of his tinea pedis versicolor and PFB rating were denied. The ED claim was not granted, the right knee scar claim did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and the tinea pedis versicolor with PFB claim had its rating reduced from 30% to 10%. No new evidence or service connection issues are discussed.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorders have been rated based on their service-connected status post total knee replacements. The Board has granted a higher rating for the right knees but denied ratings in excess of what is currently assigned.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction and TDIU remains pending as it requires further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his lumbar spine, bilateral knee disabilities, and their impact on employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, secondary to his right knee meniscectomy. The case is remanded for further examination and consideration of an increased rating for the right knee and TDIU.