Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous instructions and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a right knee disability and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure, and the Board finds that he has met the criteria for presumptive service connection.,The Veteran's skin disorder is not related to herbicide exposure in service. The Board finds that his current skin disorders are not linked to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability with DJD is etiologically related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee instability and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, have resulted in loss of use of both feet and necessitate regular aid and attendance. As such, he is entitled to SMC at the higher rates under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(l) and (r)(1).

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disorder clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and knee disabilities, finding that they did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations. The claim for a TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU prior to March 30, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, including right and left knee instability, are rated at 10 percent each. He is also service-connected for a separate neurological disability of the right lower extremity associated with his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining records from JSRRC and VA eye examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, bilateral eyes, shoulders, knees, and spine are all remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent for post-operative right knee arthritis prior to February 12, 2016. From February 12, 2016 to May 18, 2016, the rating for limitation of extension was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability, including any functional loss due to flare-ups. The current rating remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not attributable to disease or injury sustained during his period of active service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left leg disability and determine if there are any flare-ups or limitations in motion. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which has been rated as 30 percent since May 1, 2011, is now rated at 60 percent effective from that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the right knee disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's status post medial-lateral cartilage residuals of the right knee, effective December 30, 2009. The Veteran also received an increase in his evaluation for osteoarthritis of the right knee to 10 percent from July 3, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus no further action will be taken on her claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting entitlement to TDIU.