Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and VA/Tricare treatment records, as well as for further examinations of his bilateral hearing loss, lumbar strain, muscle tension headaches, left knee strain, and right knee strain. The claims will be reviewed again after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for an appropriate hearing and further development, as the Veteran requested.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical evidence for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral knee disability. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for a bilateral knee condition as secondary to service-connected bilateral tibia stress reaction, finding that the Veteran's current knee condition is more likely than not caused by her service-connected tibia disability.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for migraine headaches has been withdrawn. The remaining claims of entitlement to higher initial ratings for mechanical lower back syndrome, and right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, right hip, low back, and right hand disabilities. The claim for sinusitis was withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing. Service connection is also granted for left shoulder impingement with AC joint arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is related to service, and thus grants service connection for a low back disability. The right knee and left knee conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the propriety of reducing disability ratings for left knee conditions. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined and must be addressed concurrently.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability and whether his fall was due to his service-connected ankle and/or knee conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DJD of the left knee is related to service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The issue of secondary service connection for hypertension due to diabetes mellitus remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and esophagus condition. The denial of these claims is based on the lack of new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence was not in equipoise and did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by arthritis and meniscus degenerative disease, is currently rated at 10 percent under the Rating Schedule. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on instability or limitation of motion.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and limitation of flexion prior to October 20, 2010, was not found to warrant a higher rating. However, her total right knee replacement from December 1, 2011 onwards has been granted with a 30% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain treatment records from Dr. RAS and provide an opinion on the causal relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim should be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability, bilateral knee disorder, and hand tremor are related to his active service. The claims were granted.

The Veteran's right knee ligament reconstruction and meniscectomy are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds no basis for a higher rating. The left knee disability is not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral disease and right foot hammertoes are etiologically related to his active military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.