Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, but the Board has determined that a rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted prior to January 29, 2011. The claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral knee arthritis, arthritis of the right wrist, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, back condition, neck condition, pneumonia, and cholinergic urticaria have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be properly adjudicated, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder.

The Veteran's appeals have been partially granted with some issues being granted and others denied. The effective dates are not assigned as the evidence does not show a pending claim prior to his November 2007 application.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for right knee, left elbow, and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, and right leg disabilities. This includes obtaining Army Reserve records to verify his active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA periods, obtaining SSA records, and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of any current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a higher disability rating for his left knee disability has been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for a liver disorder, finding that the Veteran had fatty liver with elevated liver enzymes since 1999 during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to an outstanding hearing request. The claims for increased ratings will be addressed after the scheduled videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and new evidence suggests the presence of certain disabilities that may be related to his military service. However, no additional disability or unforeseeable residuals from VA treatment were found.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the Veteran's employment status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis was incurred in service and is therefore granted for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, psychiatric, right hip, and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for low back strain and right knee strain are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected tooth #9 and his claim for service connection for headaches have been denied. The remaining issues are not addressed as they were remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective prior to August 8, 2011. He also meets the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain and patellar tendonitis, right knee strain, and center chest disability.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability and low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities were denied. The RO granted a separate 10 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, but denied an increase in rating for residuals of meniscectomy of the right knee.