Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, right knee chondromalacia, and left knee chondromalacia are related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression. The Veteran is granted service connection for this condition, as it is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and left knee disabilities, but denied service connection for a right arm disability.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease with subluxation and instability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective August 7, 2014. The rating reflects moderate instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg disability and for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to insufficient evidence of 90 days of active duty service, as well as lack of service connection for any pre-existing disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and thumb disabilities have been denied. The right knee conditions are rated at the maximum available, while the left knee condition is not entitled to a higher rating. For the residuals of the right thumb injury, the claimant was granted an initial 10 percent evaluation prior to May 14, 2016, and a 20 percent evaluation thereafter.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The evidence received since the April 2005 denial relates to these conditions and provides a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an abdominal muscle disorder was denied. The claims of increased ratings for lumbar spine DDD and left hip DJD, as well as the claim for increased rating for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were also denied. Service connection for tinea pedis (athlete's foot) was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the knees is not related to his service, but he does not have a current diagnosis of rheumatoid or gouty arthritis. The claim for these conditions was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and right foot disorders are not related to his military service, and therefore denied these claims.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 10 percent for recurrent subluxation of the right knee is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the AOJ for further development due to inadequate examination in a previous remand. The case will be reviewed after obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial compensable rating for hypertension prior to February 19, 2011; and to a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's sinusitis and right knee disabilities were not granted any increased ratings as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's cardiopulmonary arrest was caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disabilities and determine if he is entitled to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder requires additional development and remands the case back to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate May 2010 VA examination and a need for a new examination to assess the Veteran's right knee condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a current diagnosis of a tear of the anterior supraspinatus and conjoined tendon. The left knee disability issue is remanded for further development.,The Veteran's request for an increased rating for his left knee disability remains pending.