Knee decisions — 2014

The Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic right or left knee disability during service and insufficient continuity of symptomatology to establish service connection. The Veteran's current knee disabilities are attributed to post-service activities.

The Veteran seeks service connection for injuries to his shoulders and knees sustained in a motor vehicle accident during basic training. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, including STRs from the period of active duty, and to schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine the likely etiology of his current shoulder and knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records, personnel records, and VA/Non-VA medical records. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left knee disability and residuals of a foot injury, to include as due to cold weather. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's knee and foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA examinations. The issues of service connection and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's hypertension and left knee disability are found to have onset during his periods of service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's chronic left knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is found to have been incurred during his period of active duty service. The Board grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left above-the-knee amputation and lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease are denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation under applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and lumbar spine disability, as well as his bilateral knee disabilities including DJD, are not service-connected. The evidence does not show any chronic symptoms of these conditions during service or for many years after separation from service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back and right knee disabilities are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disorder, nor do they otherwise relate to service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee laxity and left knee arthritis have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 21, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder and left knee disabilities, finding new and material evidence. The claims are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for acne and awarded a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, but further development is needed to determine if additional VA compensation is warranted for her left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury and increased ratings for his knee disabilities were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current symptoms to service, particularly not during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, left hip injury, and right knee injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and VA treatment records. The Board will also seek a medical opinion on the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board found no evidence of an in-service incurrence or aggravation of the claimed cervical spine, back, left knee, and right knee disorders. The Veteran's current disabilities are not presumed due to service in Vietnam.