Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability and hearing loss are found to be related to his active duty service, granting the claims for these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, neck arthritis, and lumbar disc disease. The Board has determined that additional development is needed as the current VA examination did not adequately address the relationship between his service-connected left ankle disability and these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities are related to injuries sustained during service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically right and left knee arthritis, have been rated at a 10 percent disability rating since December 1, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence supports this rating as it includes manifestations of pain, swelling, and tenderness on palpation.

The Veteran's claims for right and left knee disabilities have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of a chronic knee disability.,Service connection has also been denied for TBI residuals, specifically cognitive impairment. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 8045.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer and throat cancer are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a connection between his active duty service and these conditions. The right knee disorder is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cause of death was a cardiovascular accident caused by complications of an above the knee amputation, which is service-connected secondary to his prior service-connected condition.

The Board finds that the reduction of the rating for the Veteran's right knee laxity from 10 percent to noncompensable effective September 6, 2012 was improper and restores the original 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee disability. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and a higher rating for his right knee disability, as well as the TDIU claim, have been dismissed due to withdrawal of these claims by the Veteran prior to the Board's decision.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disability is proximately due to, the result of, or chronically aggravated by his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right or left knee disabilities, including whether they are related to his preexisting Osgood-Schlatter's disease.

The VA benefits overpayment of $1,523.00 was properly created and the debt is valid.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for back disability, heart condition (hypertension), diabetes type II, and Parkinsonism. The Veteran's private physician provided opinions linking these conditions to his military service. However, dyslipidemia is not a qualifying disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the Veteran's claims on appeal can be decided. The case is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the rating for right knee meniscal tear with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's low back disorder and sciatica are found to be related to service, while his right knee disorder is not. Service connection for the low back and sciatic nerve disorders is granted, but service connection for the right knee disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of lumbar spine, right knee, or left knee disability and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression was reduced from a 70 percent to a 30 percent rating, effective January 1, 2017. The reduction was improper as the evidence did not demonstrate material improvement in his condition.,The Veteran's left hip disability had its rating reduced from 50 percent to 30 percent, effective October 1, 2016.