Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee and right shoulder disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The current disabilities are considered to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's current knee and skin conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to TDIU are deferred until the issues of disability evaluations in excess of 30 percent for right and left total knee arthroplasty have been adjudicated.

The Veteran is currently receiving a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his various disabilities, but this rating was granted under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left hip replacement and related conditions. He does not meet the basic eligibility criteria for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) as he is only service-connected for one disability that is not pursuant to section 1151.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for his service-connected right knee and left wrist disabilities from 20 percent to 10 percent each, effective May 1, 2008.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease with synovitis is causally related to his service-connected right knee disability. As such, service connection for this condition will be granted on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine if his current symptoms are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, as well as whether it is related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each, and the Board finds that these ratings are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the appellant's claim for recognition as a 'helpless child' but concluded that he was not permanently incapable of self-support at the age of 18.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability and gastrointestinal disability are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to impairment resulting from his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds reasonable doubt in favor of this determination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination to determine if any current bilateral knee, foot, or ankle disabilities are related to injuries in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his left knee disability and right hand fractures are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been rated at the maximum available rating of 40 percent each, reflecting their severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing sedentary employment.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The claims for eye disorder, right knee disorder, residuals of positive tuberculosis test, and Gulf War Syndrome are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and cervical spine disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.