Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings for service-connected low back and left knee disabilities due to new examinations being needed, as well as additional development of records. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) with the May 2011 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and for further development of his claims.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher initial rating for his left knee disability and service connection for a left hand disability have been denied. The Board found no current right knee disability, and the Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in his hands.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have confirmed bilateral knee arthritis, and therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding records and need for clarification of medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a right knee disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and instability are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings warranted based on the current evidence of record.,Hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current chronic lumbar spine or left knee disorders, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and reopening of claims have been withdrawn. The Board has no jurisdiction over these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence to support these claims. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disability, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the initial rating assigned for cholecystectomy residuals and the denials of service connection for allergic rhinitis, residuals of fractured ribs, residuals of right eye trauma, bilateral hearing loss, and a skin disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as dermatitis of the face and scalp, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left knee disability is granted, and his initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not cause unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities. The decision also noted that an additional examination was required to address the issue of service connection.