Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, claimed as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection for COPD, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, diabetes mellitus, or head injury. The Veteran is entitled to increased evaluations for focal pain syndrome with severe migraine headaches and post-traumatic scar of the left forehead.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and a right wrist condition is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports the Veteran's assertions of in-service onset and current symptoms, leading to a finding of service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and foot disabilities, as well as whether they are related to service. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are rated at 60 percent each, and he is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability and granted service connection for bilateral knee condition (diagnosed as DJD). The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral knee condition is related to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for above the right knee amputation, secondary to ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease did not cause or aggravate his popliteal aneurysm which caused an intra-arterial thrombosis resulting in a right leg above the knee amputation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, left knee disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, and irritable bowel syndrome is denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are due to injuries sustained during service, with continuous symptoms since then.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability is service-connected as secondary to his right knee disability.,The Veteran's right knee subluxation and right lower extremity radiculopathy are both rated at the maximum available evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of additional compensation for a dependent spouse, finding that the earliest possible effective date is September 14, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for an examination and proper notice regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran's claims for left knee disability and bilateral foot disability are being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The evidence does not establish continuity of symptomatology, and there is no medical opinion linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a secondary service connection theory of entitlement as to any hip disability diagnosed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.