Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for low back, right knee, and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's initial ratings will be readjudicated after new evaluations are provided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee and thoracolumbar spine strain are remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee and shoulder conditions were denied. The case was remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for right knee disability and a TDIU due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will need to undergo another VA examination to assess her right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating for low back strain with degenerative joint disease, as his flexion remained above 30 degrees throughout the appeal period. For TDIU, the combined rating of 60% from service-connected disabilities met the threshold criteria but the Veteran was deemed unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability and heart disability due to lack of supporting documentation in the Veteran's service records. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that these disabilities are related to service based on the Veteran's statements.

The Veteran's right knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if it warrants a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination of the Veteran's right knee due to concerns about the appropriateness of reducing his rating from 40 percent to 10 percent effective May 1, 2014. The Veteran should be provided with an opportunity to submit additional evidence and VA treatment records are to be obtained.

The Board has decided that further development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder and right knee disabilities. The remanded issues include obtaining additional medical records, conducting new VA examinations, and providing a reasoned medical explanation.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including high cholesterol and knee disabilities, due to lack of evidence establishing a current disability or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been determined to be permanently disabling, allowing for eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits since March 3, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is found to be related to her in-service injury, and she is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of right hip pain and bilateral heel pain, but remands for further development to determine if these conditions are secondary to her service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied in January 1998 and remains denied. The Veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen the claim within one year of the denial.,For his right shoulder disability, the Veteran received a 20% rating based on limitation of motion at the shoulder level. However, he appealed for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied in January 1998 and remains denied. The Veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen the claim.,For his right shoulder disability, the Veteran received a 20% rating based on limitation of motion at the shoulder level.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of her knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence, including lack of verification of active duty status following her C-section. A VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any residuals of a C-section scar and related disabilities, as well as the current severity of her patellofemoral syndrome of the left and right knees.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected bilateral knee condition did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for any period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a vestibular condition, but the issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis has been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding possible periods of active service.