Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is service-connected, and he was granted a non-initial rating of 10 percent for his left knee osteoarthritis prior to July 15, 2015. He also received a non-initial rating of 30 percent for his status post left total knee replacement with osteoarthritis from September 1, 2016 and thereafter. The Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is most likely related to military service. The issues of left knee and eye disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service or his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he requested to withdraw the appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, neurological disorder of the lower extremities (cramps, numbness, radiculopathy), and cervical spine disorder are secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. Service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, total left knee replacement, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded for further development as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder), and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,Service connection was denied for both conditions as there is no evidence of a chronic disability present during service, and no current disability due to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disorders are not related to his active service or are due to a nonservice-connected condition, and thus, denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is rated at 50% effective September 21, 2016. The maximum rating for this condition has been granted.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for left knee instability from May 16, 2017 forward. The Veteran's left knee tendonitis and instability have been rated based on their respective Diagnostic Codes.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficiently severe to render him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his occupational background, and grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating in excess of 20 percent for instability of the left knee from May 7, 2014 to February 1, 2018 has been denied as it is not warranted given the assignment of a combined rating under Diagnostic Codes 5055 and 5257.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee conditions and service connection for a depressive disorder, right knee chondromalacia/degenerative joint disease, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claim to reopen his depressive disorder claim was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee and shoulder disabilities are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The claim for initial compensable ratings for hemorrhoids prior to May 14, 2013 and post-date January 1, 2011 remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors. Service treatment records do not indicate any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions. The Veteran's current psychiatric condition is being treated through counseling but does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disorder, or right knee disorder that is related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent, which is sufficient to warrant a TDIU. The Veteran has been found unemployable due to his chronic migraine headaches and other service-connected conditions.,The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including his migraines.