Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and a left rib disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disease or injury in service. The Veteran's current conditions are not presumed to have been incurred due to military service. For bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, bronchial asthma, lumbosacral strain, left arm radiculopathy associated with cervical strain, right shoulder acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease, residuals of a right wrist injury with fibrositis, left ankle injury, tinnitus, sinusitis, left knee injury, and cervical strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU rating was granted effective January 14, 2009. The Board found that a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis should have been granted as early as November 19, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, to include as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability, is being remanded due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees and degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) of the right knee were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of an in-service injury to his legs. The VA examiner concluded that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's current leg conditions are causally related to service.

The Veteran's heart disability, including mitral and aortic regurgitation, is granted service connection. The right knee disability secondary to the left knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is not service connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and the current condition is not related to active duty service.,Further examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's gout and any diagnosed foot conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that a TDIU is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and post-service treatment records. The Veteran's appeal remains on hold until further action is taken.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for a lumbar spine disability has been withdrawn. The Board therefore dismisses this issue.

The Veteran's right knee condition and sleep apnea are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of direct service connection for his neck, back, left knee, right knee, and thyroid conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and new evidence may be needed for a proper determination of service connection.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for his service-connected left knee disability is denied as the evidence does not show that he has limitation of motion or instability warranting a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service and granted service connection. The issue of an increased rating for double vision remains on appeal.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to any service-connected disability. The Board did not find evidence that any of his service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for low back and right knee disabilities as they were not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for melena and chronic anemia, as well as her requests for increased ratings for right knee limitation of flexion and left foot fourth metatarsal disability. The claim for a compensable rating for otitis media was granted.