Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals due to his active duty status.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and left knee injury with degenerative joint disease and a torn ligament, meet the percentage requirements for TDIU prior to July 18, 2012. The Board grants TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The case is being remanded due to the Veteran not appearing at a previously scheduled Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for right knee disability, rating for left knee disability, and TDIU are still pending.

The case is being remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with the Joint Motion and to address functional loss associated with the Veteran's service-connected knee and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot disability, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee conditions are not related to his military service and have denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess current disabilities of the knees and right elbow. The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating for mood disorder and unemployability compensation benefits are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition. The right ankle disability, however, is considered incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and tinnitus were addressed. The reduction in the rating for hearing loss from 50% to 20% was found to be proper.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee disability prior to January 1, 2011 was denied. The RO assigned the current 10 percent rating based on limitation of flexion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral vascular disease and above-the-knee amputation of his right lower extremity are both secondary to his service-connected hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic thoracic lumbar strain, right knee patellar femoral syndrome, and left knee patellar femoral syndrome. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear at a scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for sleep apnea, but denied for other conditions. The Veteran's left shoulder strain was not found to be related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and verifying a stressor event.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee disorder during service and concluded that the current condition is not related to military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent disability rating for right knee instability from August 16, 2006 to November 14, 2013.,From January 1, 2015, the Veteran is entitled to a 60 percent disability rating for her right knee replacement.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee traumatic arthritis, left heel plantar fasciitis, and hemorrhoids were denied. The claim for service connection for a left hip disability was remanded.