Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right shoulder disability for which service connection may be granted. The Veteran's restless leg syndrome is rated at 10 percent since December 1, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding his back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for additional evidence. A new VA examination will be conducted to assess the severity of his right knee instability.

The Board finds that an earlier effective date of April 1, 2011 for service connection and a higher rating of 10% for left knee instability and patellofemoral syndrome are not warranted. The RO's decision to assign the February 14, 2013 effective dates is upheld.

The Veteran's appeal for residuals of a sphincterotomy surgery is granted. The Veteran also withdrew his appeal regarding the left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, was not incurred during her military service and is unrelated to any incident or injury sustained therein. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations of his left knee, left shoulder, and left foot disabilities. The TDIU issue remains on hold as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left knee disability was denied. The Board found that the effective date for service connection should be April 27, 2012 and that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to October 24, 2013 or in excess of 30 percent as of February 1, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Appellant did not serve in active duty for training or active duty, and therefore is not considered a veteran. As such, he cannot establish service connection for any of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and rheumatoid arthritis were denied. The maximum disability rating of 60 percent was assigned for the Veteran's total knee arthroplasties.

The Veteran's bilateral knee chondromalacia has been rated at 40 percent for each knee, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5257. The claim for TDIU is denied as there is no evidence that her service-connected disabilities render her unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a residual lateral meniscus tear, was rated at 10 percent prior to August 25, 2010. A separate rating of 10 percent for instability beginning October 22, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disorder has been granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent effective May 2, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as left and right knee disabilities, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for DJD of each knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal. The Board granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder and right knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and thoracolumbar spine disorder due to insufficient development of medical opinions regarding their etiology.