Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating prior to July 31, 2010.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is not due to disease or injury incurred in service, and arthritis cannot be presumed. The Board finds that the current right shoulder degenerative changes and possible rotator cuff tear are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis began during service and has continued since, granting service connection for this condition. The right knee disability is not related to service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining service treatment records from his period of ACDUTRA and arranging for VA examinations to address the etiology of his left knee disability and migraine headaches.

The Board denied the appellant's requests for increased evaluations for his right knee disability, left shoulder disability, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left arm. The remaining issues are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his military service and therefore, denied his claims for direct and secondary service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic respiratory disability related to service and denied the claim for an upper respiratory disability. The left knee disability was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, left knee joint pain, and hypertension was denied by the Board. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in any of these cases.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated, and the Board has determined that none of them warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran is granted service connection for PTSD, a left knee disorder, and residuals of frostbite (congelatio) of the fingers. The Board finds that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. Service connection was also reopened for low back and right hip disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities and the collection of outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues have been dismissed due to lack of active claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the failure to schedule a videoconference hearing as per his request. The case will be transferred to the local RO in Florida and rescheduled for a hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to missing STRs, inadequate VA examinations, and the need to obtain workers' compensation records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is as likely as not related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The claim regarding myasthenia gravis remains pending due to insufficient evidence of exposure during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen his claims. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing, and no further action is required on her part regarding service connection claims.