Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including gout, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, rhinitis, kidney disability (chronic renal failure and bilateral renal cysts), hypertension, cystitis, erectile dysfunction, and migraines. The appeals are now resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The remaining issues of service connection for various foot disabilities, back disability, and knee disabilities are addressed in detail below.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee strain and instability with torn meniscus, as well as his claim to reopen a previously denied claim for residuals of frostbite of both hands. The effective dates for these grants are set at February 16, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA medical examination to assess the severity of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy and knee disabilities. The TDIU claim will be held in abeyance pending the development of these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. The remaining claims have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for low back, bilateral knee, bilateral shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities are on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule him for a VA examination to address the severity of his service-connected bipartite of the left patella, as well as any relationship between this condition and his diagnosed left knee disorders.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining additional service treatment records and conducting medical examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's left thumb disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating, while his left knee disability warranted a 20 percent rating as of January 16, 2013.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent from March 8, 2014. The issue of entitlement to a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence following hospitalization and/or medical treatment associated with a right knee degenerative patellar spur has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to determine if there is a causal relationship between the Veteran's knee disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional evidentiary development being required, including a recent VA examination with retrospective and current medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues of hearing loss and left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for most of his claimed conditions and finds no evidence to support service connection for these disorders. The only condition found by the Board with a possible link to service is dementia, but this was many years after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left hip disability, and therefore, this claim is denied.,Service connection for low back, bilateral knee, right hip, and bilateral ankle disabilities are not supported by the evidence. The preponderance of the evidence shows these conditions were due to post-service injuries from working in manual labor as a truck driver, roofer, and construction worker.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for right lateral thigh shrapnel and gunshot wound residuals with scars, and right knee weakness and decreased right lateral thigh sensation. The Board dismisses these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), finding that it is related to his military service. The decision also noted that the Veteran served in combat and was a recipient of the Combat Infantryman badge.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by instability and limitation of motion, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.