Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current right knee disabilities are related to his military service. The case will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as any diagnosed sensory neuropathy affecting the lower extremities. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent and his low back disability is rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating.,There is no evidence of ankylosis, recurrent subluxation or lateral instability in the left knee, nor are there limitations of flexion or extension meeting separate ratings under DCs 5260 and 5261.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and assigned a 60% rating effective December 30, 2004. The RO subsequently implemented this decision by assigning the appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing with a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his right knee disability. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Board has decided that the case needs additional development and is therefore remanding it for further action.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, secondary to his service-connected right knee condition. The Veteran's current left knee disability is found to be related to his service-connected right knee condition.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's back and neck disabilities as they are also found to be related to his service-connected right knee condition.

The Veteran's bilateral knee, back, and right elbow disabilities are found to be related to his active service. The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is not a separate condition but rather symptoms of his service-connected asthma.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for a right knee disorder, as there is no evidence of arthritis or meniscus tear during active duty and any current conditions are more likely due to natural progression of age-related degenerative changes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder), chronic sleep impairment, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and nephropathy with hypertension. The Board found that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and service or any presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left foot disability (hallux valgus with arthritis and post-traumatic changes), and left knee disability (left knee arthritis) had their onset during service and are related to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a 40 percent rating effective August 10, 2017. The left ankle sprain and GERD were each granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is January 22, 2007. For special monthly compensation based upon aid and attendance or housebound status, the Veteran's condition does not meet the criteria as he can feed himself and prepare his own meals.

The combined impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, allowing for a grant of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a positive nexus between her disabilities and military service. The claim was not reopened as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted service connection. The right knee disabilities and TDIU claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's right knee disability. The Veteran is entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, post total knee replacement, does not warrant a rating in excess of 60 percent.