Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VA examination and inconsistencies in the Veteran's claims file. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether any currently diagnosed left knee disability had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service, as well as if it was caused by or aggravated by a right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, bilateral testicular cysts, a left leg disability (including left ankle pain), headaches, and rectal fissures have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities is pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeals for sleep apnea and right hand injury prior to the Board's decision.

The Board finds that service-connected bilateral lower extremity venous insufficiency contributed substantially and materially to the Veteran's death, granting entitlement to service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his left knee disability, which includes residuals of total left knee arthroplasty and instability of the right knee, has been granted. Effective dates have not yet been determined as they are pending further development.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current left knee, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities and his active service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia were granted separate disability ratings of 10 percent each, with no greater. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding when he stopped working and the need for further information on his income during the years at issue. The TDIU claim remains pending as it is intertwined with other claims for increased ratings.

The Veteran meets the schedular percentage requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board grants TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, a sleep disorder (listed as sleep apnea), and residuals of a head injury. The decision also addressed his knee conditions but did not grant any benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed foot, ankle and knee disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service. They may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examiner with an opinion regarding the relationship between his current knee disorders and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of VA treatment records. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for PTSD, right ankle disability, and left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorders, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and thoracolumbar strain, are of service origin.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's current right knee disorder, diagnosed as internal derangement of the right knee, is of service origin.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting examinations to assess his left elbow and right knee disabilities. The TDIU claim has also been raised.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was reduced from 20% to 10%, effective August 1, 2014. The reduction was proper as the condition did not improve such that a higher rating would be warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disorder, back disorder, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The initial disability ratings assigned are as follows: a non-compensable rating for IBS and a 10 percent rating for right ankle sprain with tendonitis and right talus cyst.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting right wrist and right knee conditions were permanently aggravated by active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.