Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's surviving spouse's claims for Aid and Attendance benefits and nonservice-connected pension benefits due to a lack of evidence demonstrating that the appellant requires aid and attendance or meets other eligibility requirements.

The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome with chondromalacia patella and posttraumatic arthritis of the right knee has become significantly worse since his last VA examination, necessitating a remanded evaluation to determine its current severity.

The Veteran's left knee disability, status post TKA is restored to a 60 percent rating effective November 1, 2014. The Veteran also has been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). The case is being remanded to allow for new VA examinations and a review of the medical records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent prior to July 22, 2015. The Board has granted a maximum schedular rating for the entire appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left ankle arthralgia is proximately caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle and/or left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, low back disability, and other conditions, are sufficient to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 13, 2011, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him incapable of performing employment duties.

The Veteran's cervical spine and right knee disabilities were denied service connection. The left knee disability was also denied, but the Veteran did not have a current left knee disability.,For his mood disorder, the Veteran received an initial rating of 30 percent prior to August 22, 2014, and 70 percent thereafter. However, he is not entitled to higher ratings as there was no evidence showing total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a right knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence showing these conditions are related to her military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for gouty arthritis of the left ankle, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and mild anterior wedging of L1 with disc space narrowing of the lumbar spine at L1-L4 were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and a bilateral knee condition, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirement for VR&E benefits as he has overcome any impairment of employment to which his service-connected conditions have contributed.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for a low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hepatic steatosis is denied.,The Veteran's right knee, left knee, and fat in blood (hyperlipidemia) conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the need for additional examinations and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient examination findings and the need for additional testing, including assessments of functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as a right big toe disorder. The evidence did not establish that any current disabilities were incurred during or caused by military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for a right knee condition, right ankle condition, GERD, and lower back condition are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of various disabilities due to incomplete records, inadequate medical opinions, and need for further examinations.