Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee and thoracolumbar spine disabilities were evaluated, with the left knee receiving a 10% rating prior to January 2, 2015, and a 20% rating thereafter. The thoracolumbar spine disability received a 20% rating. Both conditions are not rated higher.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted as service-connected.,However, the Veteran's left hand disability is denied as not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability. As such, any VCAA error related to this claim is moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and residuals of a fracture of the pelvis with degenerative joint disease left hip, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and work background since June 21, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on his right knee, left ankle, and left foot conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his right knee condition or a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left heel condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records, scheduling the Veteran for a VA orthopedic examination to assess his current knee disabilities, and considering the claims on remand.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including clarification of service dates and obtaining additional Reserve records. The Veteran's claims for right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral pes planus or flat feet are pending.

The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to support service connection for bilateral hip disability or disability of the knees and lower legs, as they are not shown to be directly related to the Veteran's active duty. The claims were denied on a direct basis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied the remaining issues due to lack of evidence or clear and unmistakable evidence of preexisting conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and additional development is needed to determine if any current left knee, right knee, or left shoulder disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure that his service-connected Crohn's disease, left knee strain with crepitus, and right knee strain with crepitus are evaluated appropriately.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was dismissed due to withdrawal. The reduction of the 30 percent rating for left knee instability to non-compensable effective September 1, 2010, was denied as improper.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of her service-connected right hip disorder and right knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining vocational rehabilitation records and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and updated VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's left knee strain results in subjective complaints of pain, weakness, stiffness, and fatigability, with full range of flexion and extension. The current severity does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder is not causally or etiologically related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and additional development is required.