Knee Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the current knee disabilities are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability was not incurred in service and is not related to any event in service. The claim for service connection for a back disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and providing the Veteran with a copy of an undelivered SSOC. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination. The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and will be reconsidered after the necessary evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's low back disability, DJD of the right knee, and residuals of dislocation of patella of the right knee are all rated at their maximum allowable levels. The Veteran is granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for his low back disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum VA opinion addressing the impact of his service-connected PTSD on his employability.

The Board denied the Veteran's increased rating claims for his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease and right total knee replacement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, including bilateral femoral patellar arthrosis and left knee medial and retropatellar gonarthritis, is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his period of service, including based on recurrent symptoms first noted in service. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a rating of 60 percent for residuals of right and left knee replacements.,The Veteran experiences chronic residuals of bilateral knee replacements consisting of severe painful motion or weakness.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and alcohol abuse claimed as psychosis prior to April 25, 2017 was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is October 11, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee DJD is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and he is entitled to a separate 20 percent evaluation for right knee instability. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent under DCs 5260 and 5261 are not shown to have been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, with a noncompensable rating assigned for right knee chondromalacia and a 10 percent rating assigned for plantar fasciitis (left foot).

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically his left knee post-traumatic arthritis and right knee instability, are rated at 30 percent for limitation of extension due to arthritis. The issue of increased rating for right knee instability is granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated as noncompensable prior to February 7, 2017 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The Veteran's left ankle disorder was not found to be service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting right knee disability was aggravated in service beyond its natural progression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including cognitive disorder, organic anxiety disorder, and dementia. The decision also addressed other issues such as tinnitus ratings.,Service connection was not granted for either condition.

The Board has found that further development is needed for VA to fulfill its duties under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The Veteran's claim will be remanded for obtaining relevant records from SSA, VA, and private providers.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 50 percent from October 21, 2014. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's rectum condition and stomach condition were denied service connection as they did not have onset during active service or were not caused by active service. The right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee conditions were also denied service connection.