Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral knee disorders are not service-connected as they are related to a September 2001 motor vehicle accident during civilian employment. The Veteran did not have any complaints or diagnoses of these conditions during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis of the left heel and eczema of the face have been granted. The Board has jurisdiction over the rating claim for left knee strain with scar, status post ACL repair.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee instability is not shown to be manifested by more than moderate instability, and a separate compensable evaluation for dislocated semilunar cartilage of the right knee has been met. The claim for increased evaluations was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, arthritis of hips and elbows/shoulders did not originate in service or for many years thereafter and are not related to any incident during active service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and a back disability, finding that the current disabilities were not incurred in or related to service. The Veteran's residuals of a boxer's fracture of the right 4th metacarpal was also found not warranting an initial compensable rating.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran's residuals of a boxer's fracture of the right 4th metacarpal has been manifested by arthritis causing limitation of motion and warrants a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's right knee was granted a 20% rating effective August 12, 2010. The left knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10%. The extension of the temporary total rating for the right knee beyond March 2009 has been denied.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities do not warrant an extraschedular rating or a TDIU based on his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and scheduling of a video conference hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including GERD and H. pylori infection, asthma, bilateral foot disability, left knee and right knee DJD, erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia, and liver disability other than cavernous liver hemangioma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and calcification of the trifurcation region vessels in bilateral knees are not service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's left knee strain is related to her service-connected right knee strain.

The Veteran's left knee DJD with excision of a loose body has been rated at 20 percent since October 6, 2010. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and disability level.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not manifest within one year of separation from active service, is not otherwise etiologically related to his service, and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip and knee disabilities, but the effective dates are not specified as they require additional development.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent prior to June 14, 2011, and 60 percent from August 1, 2012. The claim for service connection for right knee disability is granted as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and major depressive disorder with psychotic features have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.