Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal to the Board was timely filed, as evidenced by his correspondence indicating he wished to appeal and receipt of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, right elbow, bilateral ankle, or right knee disability that was incurred in service. The Veteran's hearing loss is also not considered to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred during active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is not at least 70% due to his service-connected disabilities, and the VA examiner found that he was employable in a sedentary position despite his service-connected conditions. Therefore, TDIU is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, may not be presumed to be related thereto, and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee was denied as his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his vocational rehabilitation folder and relevant treatment records. The AOJ will then readjudicate the claim based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding his claimed disabilities. The case will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling appropriate VA examinations to clarify the nature and etiology of his claimed right knee disability, peptic ulcers, and low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, residuals of a head injury, residuals of a back injury, and residuals of bilateral knee injuries. The claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was also denied.

The Veteran's skin disorder of the right leg, bilateral arm disorder, and bilateral knee disorder are all found to be related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, primarily diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, was not shown to be related to service and the claim is denied.

Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions. A 20 percent evaluation was assigned for left shoulder impingement from July 25, 2008 forward.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and additional notification to the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent (noncompensable). The RO has not provided a rating in excess of the current noncompensable rating for this condition.,The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee was granted an increased rating to 10 percent effective April 20, 2006. The Veteran is currently receiving a 10 percent disability rating for his right knee disability.

The Veteran's sacroiliitis is related to his active duty service.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's lateral spurring of the thoracic spine or bilateral knee disorder to his active duty service.