Knee Board decisions

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which include right knee disability, back disability, and other conditions. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a 10 percent rating for bilateral knee disabilities and a 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus prior to November 15, 2016. From November 15, 2016, the Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities are related to his service, including combat injuries in Vietnam. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive and panic disorder, along with his bilateral knee disabilities, have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful activity. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease and any other right knee disability. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including affording him a VA examination and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome was rated noncompensable prior to January 19, 2016 and increased to 10 percent after that date. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability alone is not of such nature and severity as to have prevented him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and another examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his left shoulder disability and bilateral knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his active service. The evidence did not show continuity of symptoms since service or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's joint disabilities, including low back pain, knee arthritis, and elbow inflammation, were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service. The Board finds that the current diagnoses are more likely related to post-service injuries and job-related activities.

The Veteran's right knee disorder has been rated at 30 percent since December 15, 2008. He was also granted a separate 20 percent rating for his service-connected right knee instability effective October 28, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left knee disability, finding that there is no clear and convincing evidence of a pre-existing condition and that any current disability is not related to military service or VA treatment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development to consider the impact of his newly service-connected lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unemployable, as she was able to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as a teacher's aide.

The Board has remanded this case for a personal hearing or videoconference hearing in accordance with the Veteran's request.