Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his right or left knee condition, back disability, and neck disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, to include as due to environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf, requires additional development and remand.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including right knee degenerative joint disease with patellofemoral syndrome, cervical muscle sprain, chronic lower back sprain with degenerative joint disease at L5-S1, and right shoulder strain. The RO granted service connection for each condition but assigned initial ratings of 10 percent. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's migraines have resulted in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a maximum schedular rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination of his left ankle disability and an opinion regarding the etiology of his bilateral knee condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum available rating. The Board finds that he does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms and functional impairment.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and residuals of a bilateral leg injury, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not have their onset in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current knee or kidney disability for which service connection can be granted. The evidence shows no chronic conditions during service and no current diagnoses of either condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The right knee instability claim was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and a separate rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of the record, particularly regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current knee and back disabilities. The claims for service connection are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his right knee disability and to address any pending claims, including entitlement to an automobile allowance and/or adaptive equipment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to any incident of service, including a fall on her knees during PT. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has not reviewed all relevant VA treatment records from Tulsa, Oklahoma for the Veteran's knee and respiratory disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain these records and reconsider the claims.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10%.,Cervical intervertebral disc syndrome was initially rated at 20%, and from September 27, 2013 to December 8, 2014, it was rated at 30%. From December 9, 2014, the rating is 30%.,Thoracolumbar spine DDD with lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and thoracic disc herniation has been rated as 20% from December 9, 2014.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity was initially rated at 30%. From December 9, 2014, it is rated at 30%.,Right hip strain has a rating of 10%.,Status post bilateral inguinal hernia repair with scars have been rated as 10% since August 30, 2002 and remains at 10%.,Left knee scarring was initially rated at noncompensable (0%) prior to September 27, 2013. From September 27, 2013, it is rated as 20%

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the right knee disability issue, resulting in its dismissal.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal with regard to all remaining claims prior to the issuance of a decision.