Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether service-connected shrapnel fragment wound aggravates left knee and back disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's cervical spine and right knee disabilities are not related to his service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability should be remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to issue a Statement of the Case for all four issues related to service connection for ankle and knee disabilities. The Veteran must be notified of their rights and responsibilities in perfecting an appeal.

The Veteran's malignant glial neoplasm was not service connected, and the Board could find no evidence linking it to herbicide exposure or a head injury. The cause of death from cardiorespiratory arrest due to glioblastoma multiforme is also not attributable to VA medical care.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, ankle, foot, and low back disorders are not related to his military service or any incident therein. The Veteran's only service-connected condition is a residual of a fracture of the right thumb, which does not appear to be aggravated by these other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VA examination. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left knee degenerative joint disease were not incurred or aggravated as a result of active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for hypertensive heart disease prior to January 26, 2011 or from that date onwards. For his knees, the evidence supported only a 10 percent rating since November 30, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to provide the Veteran's representative with proper notice. The issues of service connection for flat feet and a bilateral knee disability are inextricably intertwined, so they must be resolved prior to addressing any secondary claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's additional disability of a total left knee replacement was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill. The underlying arthritic condition is considered the primary etiology of his pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing. The appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather other issues related to compensation and rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a respiratory disorder, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of the evidence. The issues are whether he should receive higher ratings for his Barrett's esophagus with gastritis and degenerative joint disease of the knees.

The Veteran's bilateral elbow and right knee osteoarthritis have been found to be related to his active military service, thus granting the claims for these disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability has been granted. He is now rated at 20% for limitation of extension from December 22, 2008 to March 25, 2009 and at 10% for instability since February 16, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees are causally related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a Travel Board hearing and will notify the Veteran if further action is required.