Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's right eye disability is service-connected and he has been granted a TDIU. His lumbar spine disability, associated with radiculopathy of the lower extremities, remains at a 40% rating.

The Veteran's right ankle and knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no direct service connection for the right ankle, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition within one year post-service. For the right knee, the Board noted that while the Veteran had an in-service injury, arthritis did not manifest until after separation from service and is not related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities have not met the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes. The current 30 percent rating for lateral instability of the knee is maintained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records and a dose estimate regarding potential radiation exposure during service. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tension headaches occurred during service and are therefore granted service connection. The issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral knee conditions is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his cervical spine and headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 1, 2010. The Board has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities preclude employment, thus granting TDIU.

The case is being remanded for further development and medical clarification regarding the Veteran's claimed right knee, left hip, and left ankle disabilities. The AOJ will verify his duty status during all periods of service, attempt to secure any outstanding private treatment records, and obtain an orthopedic examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for either the cervical spine disorder or bilateral knee disorder, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new medical evidence and Social Security Administration records being added to his file, as well as a need for a TDIU claim. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is service-connected, and the Board finds that it began to manifest within one year of separation from active duty. The Veteran's left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent due to its current range of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and is remanding the issue of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, to include as secondary to a low back disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and a vocational evaluation to assess the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her employability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 30, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection of PTSD or bilateral knee disabilities due to lack of clinical confirmation and no current disability. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher initial ratings have been denied. The Board found no current medical diagnosis of a groin pull or evidence linking the rib fracture to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. The right knee and hypertension claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a retrospective opinion on the Veteran's employability prior to February 11, 2010.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have originated in service, while his bilateral knee disability is not shown to be related to service.