Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for a new examination and consideration of updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by severe weakness and instability requiring constant use of a brace and cane, is rated at 60 percent under the criteria for status post total knee replacement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for right ear hearing loss, a psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), or any neck disability. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for MALT lymphoma/non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, TMJ dysfunction, bilateral knee disorders, HTN, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board will review this evidence and readjudicate his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral shoulder, hand, and knee disabilities were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's back, bilateral hip, left knee and right knee disorders are service-connected as they are at least in equipoise with respect to their onset during service.,The VA physician provided a positive opinion linking the Veteran's current right knee disorder to his service as a paratrooper.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, worker's compensation records, and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability. The issues of service connection and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability, is rated at 20 percent effective March 23, 2012. The respiratory disorder claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for chronic back strain with DDD and DJD of the right knee were denied. The Board found that prior to July 7, 2015, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic back strain with DDD. Effective from July 7, 2015, the Veteran's condition was rated as 20 percent disabling. The claim for DJD of the right knee was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current back disability was caused or aggravated by his active service. The left knee disability claims are also denied, with no specific rating assigned due to lack of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in previous decisions.

The Veteran's appeal involves increased ratings for PTSD and right knee degenerative changes. The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records, particularly from a private provider who has treated his PTSD, and any ongoing VA treatment records related to his knees.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability, heart disability, and right knee disability. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied. As to TDIU, the evidence does not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right knee chondromalacia, limitation of flexion, and instability are pending. The Board has remanded the issues to consider new evidence and additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his right knee, right foot, and right ankle disabilities, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants the TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of information regarding the Veteran's service separation examination report.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's current right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disorders are causally related to in-service occurrences as a parachute jumper. The Board finds service connection is granted for these conditions.