Knee Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's right hand neurological disability has not improved to warrant a restoration of the 100% rating. The RO reduced the prestabilization rating, and the current ratings for the right knee and low back disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board finds that the cause of the Veteran's death was of service origin and thus, service connection is warranted for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities did not have their onset during active duty service or are otherwise etiologically related to such service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding the initial disability ratings for her low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for right knee disability due to new evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims for higher initial ratings for right knee status post arthroscopy, GERD, and hemorrhoids are also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of right knee patellofemoral syndrome is related to his active military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 18, 2011 for the award of a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's combined disability rating was at least 70% from that date.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any right knee disability, including arthritis and residuals of a meniscal tear. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, as well as his left shoulder disability are all found to be related to service.,For the ankle disabilities, the Veteran's right ankle gout is found to have preexisted service.

The evidence does not support a finding of a current skin disability or right knee sprain during the pendency of the claim. The Board finds that service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, as well as for the Veteran to provide additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any current right knee disability is related to active duty, service-connected rheumatoid arthritis, or left knee osteoarthritis. The examiner must provide opinions on whether the Veteran's current right knee disability was caused by his service-connected conditions and whether it was aggravated by them.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability in his knees and lower back. The claims for hand, wrist, and right shoulder conditions are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. ¶ 1151 is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and an examination by a physician.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain outstanding records and provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted for the Veteran's status post medial meniscectomy of the left knee.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any chronic laryngitis/laryngopharyngeal reflux. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, neck, and low back disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected condition. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions were not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board found no current left knee disability related to service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.