Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's left wrist CTS is likely the result of his active service, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is warranted. The right hand disability claim remains pending as a new VA examination is needed to address whether it is secondary to his cervical spine disorder or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities. The claims of service connection for PTSD and traumatic brain injury are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are rated at less than 60% combined, and his unemployability is attributed to non-service connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot condition did not have its onset during active service and was not otherwise caused by active service. The May 1977 rating decision is final, and new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for DJD of the right knee.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee musculoligamentous strain and tinnitus, finding that there is a medical relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.,Service connection was denied for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine due to lack of objective findings during VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to address his claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for a right knee disorder, service connection for back and left hip disorders as secondary to the right knee disorder, and other issues.

The Board found no current diagnosed right knee or right elbow disability and denied service connection for these conditions. For the ear disability, the Board determined that the Veteran's current symptoms were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and an increased rating for lumbar spine fusion are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease and right knee degenerative joint disease, status post total knee replacement. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's address is unclear, and he may be using a different mailing address than his current one.

The Board found that the January 23, 2014 private care at Shands Jacksonville did not constitute emergency treatment and that VA facilities were feasibly available on that date. Therefore, payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting an opinion from the April 2013 VA examiner regarding whether left knee instability is related to service-connected synovitis.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome was granted, but a higher rating is still being considered.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for further development and clarification of the Veteran's right knee disability claim, including obtaining an updated medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in March 2014 did not comply with the January 2014 remand directives. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability is being remanded to obtain a new opinion from another examiner.

The case is being remanded due to issues with treatment records and the need for a clarifying medical opinion regarding the Veteran's dental condition. Additionally, a social and industrial survey should be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with the TDIU issue being resolved in his favor since November 2, 2010. The left and right knee disabilities are rated at 30% and 10%, respectively.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, and knee disorders due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The Veteran's current diagnoses include diffuse arthralgias, spondylosis of the lumbar spine, fibromyalgia, and mild thoracic and lumbar degenerative disc disease.,The Board has not found a causal relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed conditions and his service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cardiovascular disorder, left knee disability, and right knee disability are all granted as his conditions were incurred in service.