Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are not attributable to military service or to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, as well as her osteoarthritis of the symphysis pubis, originated in military service or is otherwise attributable thereto. Therefore, the claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for high cholesterol, sleep apnea, night sweats, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability (including major depressive disorder), fibromyalgia, and a bilateral leg disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal. The claims for a bilateral foot disability are not on appeal.

The case is being remanded for further development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining worker's compensation records and scheduling a VA examination to address service connection for knee disabilities and rating for right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, right knee, and right hip disabilities are related to his military service. The Veteran's right hip disability is not related to his service, but the examiner found no evidence of a current right knee disability other than a scar noted at enlistment.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee disability due to new evidence. However, it denied both claims for service connection for heart and right knee disabilities as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service or any period of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA.

The Board found that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the knees, status post total knee replacements, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran was in receipt of a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) since October 2001, and the criteria for TDIU were met as of February 13, 2001. As the death occurred after the effective date of TDIU, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to evaluate his PTSD and service connection for residuals of a left knee injury. The TDIU issue will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for his post-operative right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel and drill pay records. The Veteran's claims for gunshot wound to the left knee, bipolar disorder, and PTSD are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back or left knee disability that manifested in service, or within one year of separation from service. The VA examinations and private opinions do not support a finding that these disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate statement of reasons and bases, requiring a new medical opinion on whether the Veteran's left knee disability is related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is found to be service-connected as the evidence shows an in-service injury or disease and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PFB, hypertension, right knee disorder, and low back disorder. The evidence did not support a compensable evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and dislocated semilunar cartilage, is rated at 20 percent from February 23, 2012.,Separate ratings of 20 percent are granted for instability in the left knee and dislocated semilunar cartilage.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, characterized by mild instability, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right hip disorder, heart disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or hypertension that was incurred in service. The Board also found no evidence of a right knee disorder that is related to service.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a clarification of the examination and opinions regarding the left knee and leg disability.