Knee decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, right knee, and left hip disabilities were not related to service. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and Morton's neuroma of the left foot have been denied, while his claim to reopen a previous denial regarding Morton's neuroma has been granted. His initial increased rating claim for his left knee disability remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is rated at 30 percent since February 1, 2014.,The Veteran's service-connected left knee instability and right knee instability are both rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request. Service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination. The issues are whether the Veteran has degenerative joint disease of his right knee and left knee that is related to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for arthritis due to trauma, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability for most of the conditions he is seeking service connection for, and there is no evidence linking these disabilities to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen them.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected musculoligamentous strains of both knees have been denied. The RO has awarded separate disability ratings for instability of the right knee as part of consideration of the proper rating for service-connected musculoligamentous strain of the left knee.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, including post-replacement status, is rated at 30 percent effective October 1, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the grant of service connection by a prior rating decision.

The Veteran's right and left knee joint and muscle pain are found to be due to an undiagnosed illness as a result of service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War, and service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher schedular evaluation for left knee disability and TDIU from March 1, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development, including VA examinations and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim should be remanded for further development, including obtaining an examination and addressing whether his right knee conditions are related to active duty or training.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability, including arthritis and chondromalacia, did not manifest within one year of service separation or due to an in-service injury. The disability was first diagnosed many years after service, and there is no evidence linking it to active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the bilateral knees. The preponderance of evidence shows no diagnosed knee condition related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing the Veteran's representative an opportunity to submit written argument.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 60%, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).