Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of a superimposed disease or injury resulting in decreased visual acuity, and the criteria for a compensable evaluation for chronic allergies were not met.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his conditions were found to be service-connected and not warranting an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee and hip disorders are related to his service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining records from Presidio in San Francisco and determining whether he wishes to continue his appeal regarding left foot hyperemia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an ear, eye, migraine headache, fainting, or knee disability for which service connection can be granted based on direct service connection. The evidence is against finding any such disabilities were incurred during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues of service connection for bilateral knee disability, back disorder, and PTSD are being addressed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include paranoid schizophrenia and granted this claim on the merits.,However, the Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed neck and right knee disorders.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder and found new and material evidence to support it. However, there is no specific rating assigned or effective date provided in this decision summary as the issues are mixed (some granted, some not). The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU remain pending.

The Board found that there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the June 2005 and March 2009 rating decisions, which resulted in improper disability ratings for the Veteran's knee and lumbar spine conditions. The RO then reduced these ratings to proper levels based on correct regulatory provisions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board Videoconference hearing due to her request for such.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the minimum compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5260 for limitation of flexion. The claim was granted.

The Veteran's left knee replacement residuals have not been productive of chronic severely painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity, flexion limited to 45 degrees or less, extension limited to 10 degrees or more, any subluxation or lateral instability, ankylosis, malunion of the tibia and fibula, dislocated semilunar cartilage, or locking of the knee. Therefore, a rating in excess of 30 percent for left total knee replacement from August 1, 2011 is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veterans Law Judge who conducted the hearing no longer being employed by the Board. The Veteran and his representative requested a new hearing at the RO before a currently available Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, neck, and left knee disabilities but denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's current disabilities of the neck, low back, and left knee are considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate previous VA examinations. The Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities will be evaluated again.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee strain does not meet criteria for a higher rating, and denied his claim. The meniscectomy was already considered in the current evaluation.

The Board is reopening the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder and remanding it along with other claims due to additional development needed. The Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, and prostatitis claims are also being considered.