Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was incurred in service and granted service connection for it. The respiratory disorder and left knee disability claims were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has determined that he is entitled to TDIU benefits.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee lateral meniscus tear and degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions are as likely as not related to active duty and to service-connected left knee chondromalacia. The Veteran's gastritis is also found to be incurred during active duty.,Right hip disability was not found to be secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board found no evidence of a right leg disability or arthritis in service, and the current conditions are not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or caused by service, and it is not secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new orthopedic examination of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as residuals of meniscectomy with degenerative changes and slight instability, has been rated at 20 percent since March 1990. The Board found that from February 21, 2012 to July 22, 2014, the Veteran's right knee disability was characterized by limitation of extension limited to 10 degrees and slight lateral instability. From July 22, 2014, the Veteran's right knee disability is characterized by 'cartilage, semilunar, removal of, symptomatic'.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right foot disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for arthritis of the knees, hips, and elbows are denied as they are not considered to be due to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 20 percent prior to March 13, 2012 and 30 percent post total arthroplasty from May 1, 2013. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development. The only issue remaining in appellate consideration is whether a separate rating for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability under Diagnostic Code 5257 should be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of active duty service and obtaining VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for left knee disorder, GERD, residuals of cold injury, right lower extremity sciatica, and right ankle disorder will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period from December 28, 2009 to September 30, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for residuals of stroke and TDIU prior to December 22, 2009 have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition is secondary to his service-connected left knee condition and granted service connection for this issue. The hearing loss claim will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a need for additional examination and development of her right knee disability, as well as the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and issuing an SOC in the matters of service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected left thigh and left knee disabilities, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's mood disorder has been productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas but not total occupational and social impairment. The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.