Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will be provided new VA examinations that comply with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot, left knee, left eye, and low back conditions did not have their onset in service or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability was denied as he failed to report for a VA examination without good cause.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability and arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue and will schedule the Veteran for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current bilateral knee arthritis and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left knee disability, bronchitis, or pneumonia incurred in service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as well.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee condition has been granted service connection and assigned a zero percent rating.,Service connection for the left shoulder disability is pending, as new and material evidence has been received. The effective date of service connection will be determined upon finalization of this claim.,Service connection for the low back disability is pending, as new and material evidence has been received. The effective date of service connection will be determined upon finalization of this claim.,The Veteran's right foot arthritis has been granted service connection and assigned a zero percent rating.,Service connection for the right lower extremity neurological condition is pending, as new and material evidence has not yet been received. The effective date of service connection will be determined upon finalization of this claim.,The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection and assigned a 100 percent rating (the maximum available).,Service connection for the headaches is granted.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and Gulf War exposure-related conditions. The Board has remanded the case to schedule a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected right foot disability and left knee strain is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

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

The Board denied initial compensable ratings for various scars, finding that they did not meet the criteria under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's right hip disability, including osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, is found to be related to his combat service. The claim for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right leg other than a right hip disability will need further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability. He contends that he should be afforded a higher evaluation based on symptoms such as continuous pain, instability, and fatigue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left and right knee disabilities. The AOJ should also obtain any outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 1, 2011. The Board finds that the symptoms of near-continuous panic or depression and neglect of personal appearance and hygiene more nearly approximate a 70 percent rating.,The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities including PTSD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, degenerative joint disease of both knees, undiagnosed illness, left thumb fracture, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left heel bone spurs, residuals from a left great toe fracture, and costochondritis. The Board finds that these conditions preclude the Veteran from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and a left knee disability, preclude him from securing or maintaining gainful employment. As such, the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inextricably intertwined issues of the rating and effective date assigned for his service-connected DDD of the thoracolumbar spine. The TDIU issue will be handled pending resolution of these matters.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide a VA examination for his right knee disability and to issue an SOC regarding the service connection claims. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated after the right knee rating claim.