Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for asthma and degenerative joint disease of the left knee, but the case is remanded to determine if the Appellant's March-April 2002 National Guard service qualifies as full-time duty under federal law.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected right knee disability, which is more than the current 10 percent rating. The Veteran's symptoms are now fully encompassed by this higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical examination report and the need for additional development of records.

The Board has ordered the case remanded for further development, including a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and whether they are related to her service-connected back disability or if there is aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, are all related to service.

The Board denied service connection for both left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service.

The Veteran's multiple-joint arthritis, left and right knee patella tendonitis, and left wrist ganglion cyst were all found to be likely incurred during his active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and dysthymic disorder, sarcoidosis, residuals of hepatitis B, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis are currently rated as 70 percent for PTSD and dysthymic disorder, 10 percent for sarcoidosis, no rating assigned for the other conditions. The appeals for increased ratings for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to scheduling issues with the previous VA examinations. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea and left knee replacement were first manifested during active duty, meeting the criteria for service connection. The extension of a total disability rating for convalescence purposes for his left knee replacement is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's appeal on the issue of an increased rating for hypertension is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions and finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities are proximately due to his service-connected bilateral ankle disability, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current left knee disorder was caused or aggravated by his military service. Additional development is needed, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for a VA joints examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have been denied. The effective date for the awards has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.