Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner and securing updated treatment records. The issues of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, rating for left knee disability, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current knee and foot disabilities and his military service, as well as to obtain all relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right knee disability and obtain any pertinent treatment records.

The Veteran's left knee DJD is service-connected, and his right L5-S1 radiculopathy remains at a 20 percent rating. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed for service connection claims, including those related to knee disorders and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's right knee instability and DJD have been rated at the maximum available rating of 10 percent, with no additional ratings granted for either condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to February 22, 2010 and grants a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is service-connected, as it was aggravated by his military service. The right shoulder disability and chronic laryngitis/laryngopharyngeal reflux (claimed as sinus problems) are not service-connected.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for ingrown toenail, right knee disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The evidence received since the final denial is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated after all relevant evidence has been considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, left hip, and left ankle disabilities are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities was denied. The Board found that the VA examinations did not adequately address the Veteran's complaints of flare-ups and any subsequent functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and heart disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated in service, nor are they proximately due to his service-connected low back disability.,The evidence did not establish a nexus between the Veteran's current knee disabilities and any incident of service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a combined rating in excess of 30 percent. The issue of entitlement to TDIU was also remanded as it is unclear whether the Veteran meets the threshold requirements for schedular TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion, is rated at 20 percent. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the Veteran's incarceration, which prevented a VA examination. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development of his right ankle and right knee conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by degenerative change and chondromalacia patella post-arthroscopy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The separate condition of cartilage dislocation with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint warrants a compensable rating.