Knee Board decisions

The Board has vacated the previous decision and is now considering the case again, reopening it due to new evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and is granting service connection for bilateral knee disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to his already service-connected right hip and right leg disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical spine, right knee, and left shoulder conditions were denied by the Board.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for CUE in the November 1972 rating decision, finding that a 20 percent disability rating should have been assigned from August 10, 1972. The issue of an increased initial PTSD rating prior to November 21, 2013 remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities has been denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria for such a rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current right hip disorder and its relationship to his military service. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if he indeed has a current right hip disorder and whether it is related to his active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, right knee disorder, and dry eye disability. The evidence received since the prior denial is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues on appeal include evaluations for various knee and hip conditions, as well as service connection for bilateral hip disability.

The Board has determined that the May 2007 rating decisions denying service connection for traumatic septal deviation residuals and septoplasty residuals, right thumb de Quervain's tendonitis, left thumb de Quervain's tendonitis, and a right knee disorder to include pain were clearly and unmistakably erroneous. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder, a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of stress fracture of the left leg, or any other claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence, as well as to address the Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diverticulitis is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability of diverticulitis related to his active service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical services for physical therapy and occupational therapy were denied as they did not meet the criteria of being in a 'medical emergency' or associated with an approved service-connected disability.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's low back disorder, characterized as lumbar disc syndrome, was rated at 20 percent prior to January 25, 2011. After this date, the rating was increased to 40 percent.,For his right knee disorder, the Veteran has been denied an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board found that there is no direct etiological connection between the Veteran's current left knee condition and his time in service. The competent medical evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection due to his service-connected right knee disability.