Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection and rating for various conditions are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the Veteran's claims on appeal can be decided. Specifically, a new VA examination is needed to determine whether his left knee disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability and to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeal from the appellant, thus dismissing the case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IHD, which was granted effective December 21, 2010, is being granted with a higher rating of 60 percent since that date. The effective date for the grant of service connection for IHD has been changed from December 21, 2010 to March 9, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board video conference hearing at the RO.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and residuals of low back injury. The claim of service connection for right knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder tendonitis, left knee sprain, and bilateral ankle disabilities have been denied as there is no current disability found in her medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of frostbite or cold residuals of the feet, and the preponderance of evidence showed that his left knee disability was not related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to March 3, 2005 and earlier for service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for right trochanteric bursitis on March 1, 2007 and left trochanteric bursitis on October 6, 2008. Her claims for higher rating for patellar chondromalacia of the right knee, glomerulonephritis, hearing loss, and tinnitus were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a cervical spine disorder, left and right shoulder disorders, a left knee disorder, a right wrist disorder, a left wrist disorder, tinnitus, and a sinus disorder. The appeal was based on new evidence submitted after her initial claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his right knee disorder, following his July 2012 surgery. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that DJD of the right knee, status post arthroscopic surgery, is etiologically related to injury during Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) in May 1991 and grants service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues related to his left and right knee disabilities, PTSD, and a low back disability. The claims for increased ratings on the knees and PTSD are pending, as well as the issue of reopening the claim for a low back disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for right knee/leg disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by military service.,The Veteran's right knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updating VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently suffer from a diagnosed bilateral knee disorder and thus, service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU and there is no evidence of an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Board granted increased evaluations for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, as well as right hand and ankle conditions. The appellant was also awarded a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the reduction in disability evaluations for the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities from 20% to 10% was not proper, as there is no evidence of sustained material improvement in the bilateral knee conditions.