Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the severity of his service-connected cervical spine spondylosis, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, bilateral shoulder disorder (claimed as Degenerative Joint Disease), bilateral knee disorder (claimed as Degenerative Joint Disease), bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran also needs a new examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of any diagnosed conditions. The appellant's service connection claims will be readjudicated after the additional development is completed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination of the Veteran's right knee disability and readjudication of the issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination regarding his right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was granted a rating of 60 percent effective June 20, 2012. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for his other conditions.

The Veteran is unemployable due to her service-connected major depressive disorder, low back strain with sciatica, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome with arthritis, right hip bursitis, right hip limitation of extension, and right hip limitation of flexion; all of which are a combined rating of 80 percent disabling.

The Veteran's initial disability rating of 10 percent for right knee arthritis from September 1, 2005 to November 14, 2006 and from January 1, 2007 was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected knee and back disabilities are not sufficiently incapacitating to prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing with the Veteran.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a right knee or right shoulder disability present in service, and the Veteran's current conditions are not linked to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's in-service knee injury and post-service medical history.

The Veteran's service connection for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, posttraumatic stress disorder and depression (PTSD), and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted.,Initial ratings of 30 percent, 50 percent, 20 percent, and 40 percent have been assigned for PTSD, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, respectively.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current dry eyes are not etiologically related to service, and his photophobia is a symptom of a nonservice-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is found to be related to his active duty service.,Service connection for hypertension has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for a left knee disability and a skin disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's DJD of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent for instability since August 13, 2013.,No higher ratings are warranted as his flexion and extension do not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 30, 2006 and August 13, 2012 were granted. Effective dates of October 26, 2005 (prior to the grant of service connection) and August 13, 2012 (for radiculopathy), respectively, have been assigned.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy was determined based on the first chronic manifestations sufficient to identify the disease entity during the appeal period. These were identified in a VA examination conducted on August 13, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability was denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board decision.