Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied, and the Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence indicating his service-connected conditions may have worsened.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee and bilateral ankle disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, polycythemia, right and left knee arthroplasties, degenerative disc disease of L4-5, left forearm scar, and abdomen scar, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and the etiology of her left knee disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder. However, the claims for PTSD, bilateral hip disorder, neurological condition of the lower extremities, increased evaluations for lumbosacral spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, left ankle sprain, fracture deformity of the right hand, and nasal fracture with septal deviation have been denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving only the issues of entitlement to service connection for COPD and a skin disorder unresolved.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 60 percent effective November 19, 2015. The left ankle disability was assigned a 20 percent evaluation effective the same date.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's umbilical hernia has been rated as 20 percent disabling since the effective date of service connection, with symptoms including pain and tenderness in the abdomen. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his post-operative residuals of left knee anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a bilateral knee disability and low back disability, but denied the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a stroke. The right shoulder disability rating issue is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not service-connected as they are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and meniscus injury, is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the current evidence does not support a higher rating as her range of motion remains within functional limits.

The Board has ordered the case back for further development, including a VA examination and readjudication of the claim. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his left knee disability, which he claims is related to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, do not render him unemployable. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of total social and occupational impairment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by joint pain and osteoarthritis, to include fibromyalgia; thoracolumbar back and cervical spine disabilities; bilateral leg disability; right and left knee disabilities (other than service-connected left knee scars); an abdominal or gastrointestinal disability; respiratory disability (sinusitis and allergic rhinitis). Therefore, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hip disorders, but denies the underlying matters as the evidence does not establish a link between his current diagnoses and his period of service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining legible copies of service personnel and treatment records, arranging for a VA examination to determine the relationship between his diabetes mellitus and service, and scheduling an aid and attendance examination.