Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's combined ratings do not meet the percentage requirements for TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities did not clearly interfere with his normal employment during the period of January 7, 2010 through February 10, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development needed, including obtaining medical records and considering a separate evaluation for right knee meniscectomy residuals.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is currently rated at 30 percent. Separate ratings for a meniscus condition and limitation of flexion are in effect.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and denied service connection for bilateral knee disorder, erectile dysfunction, and increased ratings for major depressive disorder and hearing loss. The Veteran's current lumbar strain is found to be related to his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development on the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including an addendum opinion regarding his bilateral knee disability and left hip disability. The case is also referred to VA's Compensation Service for consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted for PTSD with depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment of a sedentary nature.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is causally related to his period of active duty and his service-connected right knee disability, thus granting service connection for the condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and fractured little finger, as well as service connection for hair loss and bilateral knee pain have been denied. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is service-connected, as it is at least as likely as not caused by an injury sustained during his period of service.

The Veteran's right and left knee strains have not been manifested by limitation of motion to a degree that would warrant an increased rating.,The Veteran is not precluded from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues related to shortness of breath, loss of taste (ageusia), and left knee disability has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for shortness of breath.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of a left hand or left knee disability, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee synovitis, blood disorder, loss of hair, bone condition, dental condition, and degenerative arthritis. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination to determine the etiology of his abdominal hernia, varicose veins, and right knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and bilateral hearing loss, but granted a noncompensable rating for his service-connected bilateral photophobia.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial compensable rating for left knee scar is dismissed. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining pertinent treatment records.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a bilateral knee disability and a psychiatric disability, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for a final rating of 100% permanent and total.