Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen them.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected musculoligamentous strains of both knees have been denied. The RO has awarded separate disability ratings for instability of the right knee as part of consideration of the proper rating for service-connected musculoligamentous strain of the left knee.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, including post-replacement status, is rated at 30 percent effective October 1, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the grant of service connection by a prior rating decision.

The Veteran's right and left knee joint and muscle pain are found to be due to an undiagnosed illness as a result of service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War, and service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher schedular evaluation for left knee disability and TDIU from March 1, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development, including VA examinations and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim should be remanded for further development, including obtaining an examination and addressing whether his right knee conditions are related to active duty or training.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability, including arthritis and chondromalacia, did not manifest within one year of service separation or due to an in-service injury. The disability was first diagnosed many years after service, and there is no evidence linking it to active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the bilateral knees. The preponderance of evidence shows no diagnosed knee condition related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing the Veteran's representative an opportunity to submit written argument.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 60%, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant, and as such, these claims are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol, right knee disability, left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and an eye disability have all been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The skin disability, bilateral pes planus, left knee instability, left knee tendonitis, and right knee tendonitis are all rated under the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches, hypertension, a left ankle disorder, restless leg syndrome, a left shoulder disorder, a cervical spine disorder, a right knee disorder, hearing loss, and prostate disorder are denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and service connection on the issues of osteoarthritis of the left knee, status post total knee replacement with scars, and a shortened leg with gait disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as strained relationships, disturbances of mood and motivation, depressed mood, anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, chronic sleep impairment, impairment of short and long term memory, difficulty concentrating, suicidal ideation, periods of violence, and increased cognitive decline. The Board has determined that the criteria for a disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD have been met or approximated.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his service and/or events therein.