Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's left knee replacement disability has been rated at 60 percent since January 1, 2008. The Board also granted TDIU from April 25, 2007 to March 25, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple knee, wrist, and low back disabilities. The RO has assigned initial ratings for these conditions, but the Veteran disagrees with these determinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disorders do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected left shoulder disability, as well as claims for other disabilities and benefits. The Board has ordered remand due to incomplete records and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left knee strains have been denied as the evidence does not show that either condition warrants a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disorder was not aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, and back disorders, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-service existence or aggravation. The Board also found that the current disabilities were not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee arthritis and medial meniscal tear are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee, hip, or back disability that is etiologically related to either service or his service-connected hepatitis C. The claim for separate ratings for an acquired psychiatric disorder was improperly severed.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is rated at 40 percent prior to April 7, 2014. The residuals of his right fifth finger fracture with traumatic arthritis are currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was not granted for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a bilateral eye disability, residuals of a head injury, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, memory loss, insomnia, or a sleep disorder.

The Board has granted increased evaluations for the service-connected left knee chondromalacia, left knee arthritis, and left hip disabilities. The highest combined rating available is 60 percent, which corresponds to amputation of the lower leg at the level of the thigh.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disabilities and their impact on employment. The case will be reviewed again after this additional development.

The Board has decided in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection for a right knee disorder that occurred during active duty training and was treated with an arthroscopy.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination and opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, considering his lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms since 1988.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee scars, residuals of shell fragment wound (SFW), measure no more than 0.15 square centimeters and do not cause limitation of motion or function. The rating schedule is adequate to rate the disability.