Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service, and thus granted her claim for service connection. The left knee disability claim requires additional development as an addendum opinion from a clinician is needed.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for left leg disability is discontinued, and he is now assigned three separate ratings: a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5259 (surgically removed semilunar cartilage), a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5003 (left knee arthritis), and a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5271 (limited motion of the ankle).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the case can be properly adjudicated, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's knee disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and is not related to any in-service injury. As a result, the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are etiologically related to service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining new VA examinations and obtaining outstanding private or VA treatment records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction over the issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and is REMANDING the remaining claims (left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee conditions) to the agency of original jurisdiction for further development.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral foot and knee disabilities, but has not been afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions. The case is REMANDED for such examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete development of evidence, including a need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, knee disorders, and an acquired mental disorder. The decision found that the Veteran's self-inflicted gunshot wound was due to willful misconduct, and there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current knee or mental health conditions and active service.

The Veteran's digestive system disability, including his liver tumor with IBS, is rated at 30 percent effective January 15, 2015. His hyperlipidemia and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for further examinations of his service-connected right knee bursitis and right ankle tendonitis.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, migraine headaches, and left knee disability have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative osteoarthritis of the right knee, status post arthroscopy for a meniscal tear. The evidence did not show limitation of motion warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to the use of his left knee brace is granted as he has provided competent lay evidence that the brace causes wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disorder, cervical spine disorder with degenerative changes, and right knee injury have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 30, 2010. The effective date for the TDIU is set at September 17, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is REMANDED to obtain new VA medical opinions, perform imaging studies on the Veteran's knees, and schedule a VA examination.