Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's knee and back disorders are being remanded for further examination and development. The Board will consider the merits of his claims after obtaining necessary records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's asthma, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis have been granted service connection. The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish service connection for the other conditions listed.

The Veteran's knee disability was previously rated at 10% prior to March 27, 2007. Effective from March 27, 2007, the disability is rated at 20%. The current rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran is entitled to reimbursement of $3,200 for bathroom remodeling under the Independent Living Services Program (ILLP) as part of her Vocational Rehabilitation plan. The HISA grant was approved and paid by VA, allowing the Veteran to independently shower.

The Veteran's IBS with GERD and Crohn's colitis disability was rated at 60 percent prior to December 1, 2015. From that date onwards, the rating for her gastrointestinal disorder increased to 60 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for depressive disorder and left knee degenerative joint disease, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The AOJ will schedule the Veteran for additional examinations and readjudicate the claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right sciatic nerve paralysis and other conditions, contributed substantially to his death from an intracranial hemorrhage. As a result, the appeal is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including colitis, thoracic scoliosis, low back pain, polyarthritis of bilateral elbows and knees (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis), nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), a disability manifested by loss of balance, difficulty walking, standing, sitting, dehydration, suppressed immune system, and extreme fatigue due to Remicade infusion, pancreatitis, and restless leg syndrome. The effective date for these service connection decisions is not specified.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for high cholesterol and hypertension has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.,Service connection is granted for bilateral knee disabilities, with the Board finding that the evidence supports the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability. However, the evidence does not establish a link between the current right knee disability and service.

The Veteran's right knee and hip disabilities are not service-connected, but the claim for right knee disability has been reopened. The Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of secondary or aggravation by the service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her right knee and right ankle disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be deferred until the increased rating claims are adjudicated.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to a service injury, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disorder (DJD) and migraine headaches, but denied the Veteran's claims for other conditions. The left knee DJD was found to be related to service due to its onset within one year of retirement from service. Migraine headaches were also found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and inadequate rationale for a previous VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed with new examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The appeal seeking a TDIU rating was withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.