Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected chondromalacia patella of the right knee and DJD of the left knee with crepitus were not found to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional development, including a VA examination and medical clarification.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of arthritis within one year of discharge and that any current right knee disability is not related to service or his service-connected left knee disability. The remaining claims are pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and foot disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's complaints of joint and muscle pain have been diagnosed as arthritis of the right shoulder, right knee, and left foot. These conditions did not manifest in service or within one year of discharge from service, and has not been related by competent evidence to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing supplemental opinions from VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's inability to attend a previously scheduled hearing. The Veteran must be afforded another opportunity for a videoconference hearing before a VLJ.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU as of August 11, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is also remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU prior to August 11, 2015 and issuance of a SOC regarding the issue of entitlement to a TTE based on a service-connected disability requiring a period of convalescence following February 2016 surgery.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD, vision problems (including cataracts and retinal drusen), and right knee condition are not attributable to his active duty service. As such, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the increased rating for a left knee disability, and as such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Appellant does not have a right eye disorder that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active military service. The Board finds no current diagnosis for a left knee disorder.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records from his National Guard service dating after April 2006 and updated VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right femur disability, left femur disability, and right knee disability. The psychiatric disability other than a major depressive disorder remains on appeal.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by limited range of motion and pain, did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from July 2, 2010 to May 5, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's right leg and right knee disabilities are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, thus denying these claims.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including initial ratings for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and left total knee replacement, as well as effective date claims. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for development and readjudication consistent with the directives of the Court's Memorandum Decision.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service. The remaining claims have been remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have or had arthritis of either hand, a left knee disorder, left foot plantar fasciitis, or hemorrhoids during the appellate period. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.