Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, effective from October 2012. A separate 20 percent evaluation was also granted for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to the lumbosacral spine disability. The left knee arthritis claim is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is being remanded for additional development to determine its etiology, specifically whether it was caused or aggravated by his right knee disability resulting from a VA surgery in August 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, including chondromalacia, meniscus tear, and ACL repair, has been rated at 10 percent since May 2009. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects her symptoms of pain, tenderness, limitation of flexion, and instability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral spine injury with degenerative joint disease and erectile dysfunction associated with total knee replacement, right knee.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a headache disability, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU from November 6, 2006 to December 23, 2008. The Board has determined that the case should be remanded for consideration of extraschedular TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new medical opinion regarding the causation or etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability and whether it was aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's IBS has been rated at 30 percent since November 26, 2013. The Board finds a 30 percent rating is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting right knee disability was aggravated during his service, and therefore grants service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the left knee with limitation of extension and flexion has been rated at 30 percent since prior to August 2, 2013. The current rating is appropriate as there was no evidence of ankylosis or instability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the functional equivalent to the loss of use of a foot, warranting automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for bilateral knee disorder, and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current hip or low back conditions and his military service. His acquired psychiatric disorders were also not linked to his service. For his Achilles tendonitis claims, he did not meet the threshold requirements for increased ratings. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as well.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with notice of how to substantiate a claim for entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee condition, kidney condition, and hypertension. The case is REMANDED to obtain medical records, schedule examinations, and provide a decision based on the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment for the period from March 31, 2008 to November 4, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation beginning December 5, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment at any time since October 4, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and readjudication of the claims, including a VA PTSD examination and addendum opinions on GERD, cervical spine, low back, and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals regarding the reopening of claims for sleep apnea, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral knee disability. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these matters.