Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the claims, including a review by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation in any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee meniscal tears were denied as his conditions are rated at the lowest possible disability level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left knee disability have been denied as there is no competent evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right or left knee disability, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claim for service connection for a testicle disability is remanded as additional development is needed to determine if there is any current condition of the testicle related to service.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased rating for low back disability and TDIU are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran's other service-connected conditions have not been linked to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to her service or caused by her service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for various knee, hip, toe, and foot disorders as well as sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are based on the absence of current diagnoses or medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, a subdural hematoma due to a probable head trauma resulting from a fall, was not caused by or aggravated by any service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral knee disability secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with ankle pain. The Veteran's current rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with ankle pain remains at 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such during service. The current degenerative joint disease is considered a condition of aging.

The Board has remanded the case for further action to address whether the Veteran's left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus and low back disability. The claim will be returned to the AOJ for compliance with this directive.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for clarification on service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, hip disabilities, and low back disability. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and review by the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service if additional schedular criteria are not met.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The Board found that prior to December 6, 2006, there was no evidence showing that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated clinical records and an orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected knee disabilities. The TDIU claim is also referred for adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated accordingly.