Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service records and VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are secondary or aggravated by her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation. The propriety of reducing the evaluation of his CAD from 60 percent to 30 percent is also addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right knee patellar chondromalacia and left knee post traumatic arthritis do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability. The case is now referred for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left knee disability and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's right knee condition, specifically patellofemoral syndrome (PFS), does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 25, 2009, from May 1, 2009 to October 4, 2010 and from December 1, 2010 to November 7, 2013 and from February 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records from a VA clinic in South Carolina. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected back and right knee disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with the lumbar spine receiving a 10% rating since March 2008 and the right knee receiving a non-compensable rating prior to June 16, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD, currently rated at 30 percent prior to November 17, 2010 and 100 percent thereafter, is granted. The effective date of the increased rating remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability of the knees, legs, or hips in service and denied claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of a basis for rating each claim on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new examination of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities. The appeal will be returned to the Board after this is completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and records from Kaiser Permanente.

The Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the right knee, degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, left hallux valgus and bunion deformity with early degenerative changes of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and bone spurs of the right ankle are all related to his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule the appellant for a videoconference hearing at his local RO.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of entitlement to service connection for cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea during a hearing before the Board. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the cyst of the mid back and chest pains have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear at a scheduled Travel Board hearing and the need for issuance of a statement of the case regarding his tinnitus claim.