Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's overpayment of disability compensation was properly created for the periods from October [redacted], 2005, to July [redacted], 2006; from February [redacted], 2007, to July [redacted], 2007; and from January [reded], 2008, to February [redacted], 2008.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 40 percent, which meets his claim for an increased rating. The Board also found that the Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities and granted a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, but denied service connection for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current pathology of his left wrist or hips, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a broken left kneecap, residuals of a broken left wrist, and left hip dislocation have been granted. The conditions are deemed to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, right shoulder disability, and seborrheic dermatitis in the groin area is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a new VA examination. The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his total right knee replacement, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities and whether he is unemployable due to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability and cold weather condition of all four extremities are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that there is no evidence of chronic left knee symptoms in service and no continuous post-service symptoms. The Veteran's current degenerative joint disease was not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for low back, knee, hip, and shoulder disorders, finding no clear and unmistakable evidence of preexisting conditions and insufficient medical nexus to link current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his PTSD and right knee disability, did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from pneumonia. Other conditions such as COPD, diabetes mellitus, smoking-related issues, and pre-existing pneumonia were also contributing factors.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether the Veteran's left knee disorder is related to service or his service-connected left ankle strain.

The Veteran's current right knee arthritis is not related to his service, including injuries sustained during service. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating higher than 40 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease with limitation of extension, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that none of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his right knee disability and tinnitus, were primary or contributory causes of his death. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these disabilities caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disorder and any instability.

The Veteran's claims were denied, and he was not granted any new effective dates or increased ratings for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing an adequate examination and medical opinion to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding ongoing symptoms in his right knee since service.