Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective June 15, 2010. The RO denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder and sleep apnea in the May 2011 rating decision. Service connection was granted for these conditions in subsequent decisions.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2012, based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD and musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right knee disability and left knee disability were denied. The Veteran's right knee was rated based on traumatic osteoarthritis with torn medial meniscus, while the left knee was rated at 30 percent since December 1, 2013.

The Veteran was not in receipt of, nor entitled to receive, compensation for service-connected disability that was continuously rated totally disabling for a period of 10 or more years immediately preceding death. Therefore, the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.

The Board found that the reduction from a 30 percent rating to a 10 percent rating for right knee disability was proper based on improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work, despite continued symptoms such as pain.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now considered service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to lack of VA examinations and outstanding records.

The Board denied entitlement to ratings higher than 10 percent for bilateral knee disabilities since August 30, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been granted, with the highest rating of 10 percent being assigned for each condition.

The Veteran's current bilateral knee arthritis is at least as likely as not related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability and a TDIU. The case is being remanded to the AOJ for initial consideration of new evidence, including a possible right total knee replacement.

The Board denied an increased rating for right knee disability and service connection for hip arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not warrant a higher rating or service connection based on his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral DJD of the elbows, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to in-service degenerative changes. Service connection was denied for other conditions as they are not shown to be directly related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed left knee degenerative joint disease is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denies the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities were previously denied due to lack of evidence showing a relationship with service.,Service connection for the heart disability was also denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that it existed prior to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis has been characterized by symptoms including joint pain, locking, effusion, and painful motion. A separate 10 percent disability rating for instability of the right knee from July 5, 2017 was granted.,From June 3, 2008, the Veteran's right knee has demonstrated slight instability.