Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board will address the issues on remand.

The Veteran's initial knee ratings have been granted, but the Board is remanding for further development of his right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are presumed to have existed prior to her period of active service, but were not aggravated by such service. As a result, she is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities, and therefore service connection is denied for all issues.

The Veteran's appeals for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain Quality Assurance records related to his MRSA infection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence and issues that need further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee injury, bilateral pes planus, bronchial asthma, and depressive disorder have been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to service, as there was no aggravation of a preexisting condition during active duty. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability did not have its onset during or was caused by his active service, and arthritis of the left knee did not manifest within one year of separation from active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right knee and cervical spine disabilities are not etiologically related to his service, and thus denies both claims.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for ischemic heart disease was granted, and he is now rated at 100 percent effective May 8, 2017. The Board also found that the Veteran met the criteria for TDIU from August 31, 2010 to May 6, 2015 due to his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a musculoskeletal examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of notification for VA examinations, and further development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee conditions, including degenerative joint disease and a meniscal tear, are not related to his service. The evidence does not support a finding of chronicity during service or continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected left wrist and left knee disabilities from March 18, 2009 to March 7, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disability and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which required surgery in July 2009, has not necessitated further convalescence beyond January 1, 2010. The Board finds that the criteria for an extension of a temporary total rating are not met.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing, and the need to ensure proper notice is sent.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine, to include status post disc removal surgery with residual scar, was found to be permanently aggravated by his service-connected erector spinal muscles strain. The right knee disability is considered secondary to a service-connected condition.