Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions including knee and hip arthritis, neck pain, and shoulder issues. The Board has determined that new examinations are necessary to accurately assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination regarding his right and left knees, and readjudicating the issues of service connection for knee disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, maxillary and frontal sinusitis, right knee chondromalacia, and allergic rhinitis, have rendered him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's service was not considered eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits due to his discharge being an entry level separation and not a dishonorable discharge, nor did he meet the 30-day active duty requirement.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that the conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 24, 2010 for the awards of service connection for myositis of the cervical spine, myositis of the lumbar spine, and a right knee strain. The claim for an earlier effective date for right hip bursitis is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of an inner head injury with a 10 percent rating effective August 21, 2001. The Veteran's claim is also granted for an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee strain, resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's hypertension and right knee degenerative joint disease have been rated, but the appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has granted separate evaluations of 10 percent for instability in the left and right knees, based on slight lateral instability without objective findings of instability or subluxation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was denied, and the TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show that the Veteran's left knee disability precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current bilateral knee and low back disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated after completion of these actions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including post-operative status and arthritis, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and sleep apnea can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for an examination and additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's heart disorder, right knee disorders, and left knee disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is related to his service-connected right knee disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her service-connected back and knee disabilities.