Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for right and left knee disabilities are granted, both effective December 23, 1989.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral knee pain and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD have been withdrawn. The claim for increased rating for a back disability is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate examination reports, incomplete development of records, and potential interrelatedness with other issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion from an appropriately qualified physician to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's knee disabilities were rated at 10 percent each before the Veteran underwent total knee replacement surgery in 2013 and 2014 respectively. After the surgeries, his knees are currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disability including arthritis that is related to service, and thus cannot be granted service connection for this condition.,Similarly, the Board has found no evidence of a current left knee disability including arthritis that can be attributed to service. The Veteran's current left knee disabilities are presumed to have developed post-service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and he was granted a separate compensable rating for left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy. The appeal related to these issues has been resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and degenerative changes are related to service, granting service connection.,Service connection is granted for bilateral knee arthritis. The Board found no evidence linking this condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, left hip disability, and low back disability as secondary to his existing service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not shown to have been manifested during service or within one year postservice, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The VA examinations do not support a finding that his current knee disabilities are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the unavailability of a hearing officer who participated in his previous hearing. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and providing him with VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was granted, and he is currently rated at 20 percent for instability. He also has degenerative arthritis of the right knee which warrants an additional 10 percent rating under DC 5003.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, sinusitis, and right knee disorder are all found to be related to service. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has restored the previous disability ratings for the Veteran's right knee conditions, finding that his disabilities had not improved in a manner that enhanced his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to missing military personnel records, hospitalization records, and service treatment records. The Veteran's right calf and knee disorders are under review for possible service connection.