Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled video-conference Board hearing. The RO must attempt to confirm the Veteran's current mailing address and schedule him for another hearing.

The Board has determined that additional VA medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, as the current opinions may be based on inaccurate or incomplete factual premises.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disabilities, including chondromalacia and meniscal tears, are related to his service. The Board finds that there is equipoise of evidence regarding whether these conditions began during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability and low back disability have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims. The right ankle disability and obstructive sleep apnea were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating and TDIU claims for further evidentiary development due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disability and whether he requires regular aid and attendance or is housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and will provide further development before making a decision on the claims.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for a vocational evaluation, and referring the case to the Director of Compensation Service for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the need to revise the April 12, 2016 rating decision and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee degenerative joint disease had its onset during service and granted her claim for service connection. The issue of a compensable rating for atopic dermatitis is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back, right and left tibia, right knee, and left foot conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for right knee, lumbar spine, and sinus disorders. The Veteran's in-service exposure to noise is conceded, but the evidence does not establish a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The RO reduced the disability rating for left knee degenerative joint disease from 40% to 10%, effective August 1, 2013, to April 26, 2015. The reduction was proper as there was sustained and material improvement in the Veteran's service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current skin disorder, glaucoma, blindness, or right knee disability that is related to his service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service. The VA examiner found the current degenerative joint disease/osteoarthritis less likely than not due to parachute jumps during active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations to assess the Veteran's back and right knee disabilities. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records and ensure all duty to assist requirements have been met. The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, left leg disorder, and left hip disorder are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in active service and is not otherwise the result of a disease or injury incurred in active service. The claim for bilateral flatfeet will be addressed separately.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total rating following left knee surgery beyond April 1, 2010, as the evidence did not support requiring convalescence beyond that date.