Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed, including a VA joints examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral lower extremity disability, including right and left great toe fractures, left and right knee arthritis, and other symptoms such as weakness, pain, burning, and numbness. He claims these disabilities are due to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities, left and right ankle disabilities, and hypertension were dismissed due to withdrawal. The Veteran does not have moderate limitation of motion in his ankles or any significant pulmonary symptoms related to sarcoidosis. His hypertension requires continuous medication but does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for her claimed left ankle disorder, right shoulder condition, and right knee condition. The issues were remanded due to inadequate examination in June 2010.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and PTSD) were not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right ankle and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling him for appropriate VA examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected right knee disability, bilateral heel condition, and bilateral arm conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee disability to include infectious disease, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The evidence submitted since the last final denial was found to be cumulative or redundant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for back, neck, right and left knee disabilities is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his claims file.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from Iowa City VAMC and requesting an addendum opinion from the August 2009 VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of secondary conditions to his right knee osteoarthritis were denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, as well as to consider new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records from Dr. Soma and Dr. Chumley, as well as any relevant pulmonary test records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of his TDIU claim based solely on his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on October 1, 2010 are denied as the treatment was not for a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's right knee surgical scar is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability did not have its onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining STRs from the Veteran's Reserve service and VA treatment records. The Veteran is also to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any current left knee disability.