Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to recent court decisions and the Veteran's assertion of worsening symptoms. The case will be returned to the Board after further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, right wrist, and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service.,Regarding GERD and hiatal hernia, the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as a low back disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his records.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome was rated at 40 percent effective July 29, 2015. His bilateral knee disability was granted service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating for service-connected left knee strain, including adjudicating his service connection claim and obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a 10 percent rating for left knee limitation of motion and a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability. The right knee disability is rated at 20 percent prior to September 19, 2016. The depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent. No effective date was provided.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have originated during his military service and granted service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood) is also found to be related to service, but the exact nature of the relationship needs further clarification. Service connection for a bilateral knee condition is denied due to lack of evidence showing aggravation or onset in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to a lack of compliance with previous instructions and for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not clearly interfere with his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.,The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a confirmed diagnosis of knee disability in either knee, and there is no evidence linking any diagnosed condition to active service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and review of private treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 20, 2004, March 21, 2005, and June 26, 2008 for service connection of his low back disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's right knee disorder was not shown during the appeal period, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's kidney stones have been granted a 10% rating effective September 22, 2016. The other issues were denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability prior to March 1, 2012 was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or significant instability that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, right knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment since September 30, 2008. The Board finds that his employment from September 30, 2008 to January 12, 2009 was marginal employment due to his service-connected knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative joint disease was initially assigned a compensable rating of 20 percent, effective October 23, 2012. The RO reduced the rating to zero percent due to the termination of the 20 percent rating for left knee degenerative joint disease and the assignment of separate ratings for right and left knee disabilities under different diagnostic codes (DC 5260-5003).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, manifested by status post left knee replacement, was incurred during service and is related to his in-service condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of increased ratings for left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional development and readjudication.