Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right knee disorders are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims were denied as he did not report for scheduled VA examinations, and the claims are therefore denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including as secondary to his service-connected diverticulitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records.

The Board found that the Veteran's service from November 28, 2000, to May 28, 2004, was discharged under Other Than Honorable (OTH) conditions due to misconduct. Therefore, this period of service is considered a bar to VA benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee surgery required convalescence for a period of six months and granted a temporary total rating through January 31, 2008. The issue was remanded to determine if an extension beyond this period was warranted. After further review, the Veterans Service Center Manager determined that no extension was needed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee osteoarthritis has been granted, with a 20 percent evaluation effective February 4, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue for a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, heart disability, and arthritis of the bilateral knees are still pending.

The Veteran is found to be unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, type II, right below the knee amputation associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, PTSD, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, right foot ulcer, impotency, and amputation of the right third toe. The Board granted a TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and anxiety disorder. The right shoulder condition was rated at 20 percent prior to May 13, 2013, and 40 percent thereafter. The scar on the knee is not compensable.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the bilateral knees and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease (IHD).

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The left knee disability is also found to have an onset during service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and is therefore dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to incomplete records, including a lack of pre-service treatment records. The Veteran is also required to provide authorization for VA to obtain any relevant private medical records.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the Reiter's syndrome claim has been granted, and it is determined that the disability was incurred in service.,Regarding the lumbar spine issue, as well as the psychiatric disorder issue, a VA examination will be conducted to determine if these conditions are manifestations of Reiter's syndrome or separate disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current right knee and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the Veteran's submission of a September 2015 statement and an Informal Hearing Presentation. The case will be returned to the AOJ for readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, neck, and left shoulder disabilities are not related to his military service. The residuals of a head injury claim is denied as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease, status post total knee replacement is adequately rated under the applicable rating criteria and an extraschedular evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's left knee instability and degenerative arthritis have been rated at the maximum available rating of 30 percent since July 24, 2009.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is at least as likely as not due to his service-connected left knee disabilities, and grants service connection for this condition.