Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disorder, diagnosed as chronic patellofemoral syndrome, had its onset during his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability or a disability of service origin. The Board found that the cause of death, end stage chronic COPD, was not related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability can be adjudicated. This includes obtaining VA treatment records from the early 1990s and any Social Security Administration decision regarding his disability benefits.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to increased ratings for various disabilities and service connection claims. The case is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing, issuance of an SOC on the effective date issue, and other procedural steps.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back or right knee disability and there is no evidence linking these disabilities to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids and service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, bilateral knee disorder, low back disorder, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral eye disorder, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and chloracne.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, necessitating SMC at the aid and attendance rate.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder was reopened and granted. The Board found that the current residuals of the total left knee replacement is due to disease or injury incurred in active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, while the right knee remains at 10 percent. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left lower extremity disability, including a femur fracture and meniscal injury in the knee, was rated 10 percent prior to July 15, 2009, and 20 percent since then. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that his current right knee disability is not related to his military service. The claim for left knee disability was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, but denied the secondary service connection claim due to lack of evidence linking the current left knee disorder to service or service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability caused or aggravated his right knee disability. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as retropatellofemoral pain syndrome, has been rated at 10 percent since November 2005. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's flexion was limited to 70 degrees without pain and to 100 degrees with pain, but not additionally limited by fatigue or repetitive use.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim for further development due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives. The claim will be reconsidered in light of all additional evidence, including a VA compensation examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and residuals of a fracture of the left patella with osteoarthritis of the left knee, based on limitation of motion.

The appellant's combined disability rating is 70%, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his disabilities are service-connected and do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.