Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's timely Substantive Appeal was submitted in response to the April 2009 SOC regarding his claims for service connection for a back condition (upper and lower), a neck condition, and arthritis of the knees, back, arms, and shoulders. The case is REMANDED to schedule the Veteran for a Board travel board hearing on these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA and private treatment records and scheduling him for a new VA examination. The issues of rating the left knee disorder and TDIU are being addressed.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is therefore REMANDED.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that the Veteran's condition had its onset during service. The right knee disorder claim is remanded due to inadequate rationale in the March 2011 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's head injury and facial scars were not incurred in line of duty due to his own misconduct. The claims for service connection for a left hand condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition are denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Board found that the reduction in evaluation from 40 percent to 30 percent for service-connected right knee disability was improper and restored the original 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and for an increased rating for right knee disability are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination and the need for additional evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disability (featuring arthritis and strain) is causally linked to her service-connected right knee and low back disabilities, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the current nature and extent of his service-connected left knee subluxation and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from being able to avoid the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment without assistance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right wrist/hand and lumbar spine disabilities are granted as secondary to her service-connected right shoulder bursitis and left knee/foot disabilities, respectively. She is currently rated at 30% for the right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for right knee and left hip disorders, including consideration of aggravation by pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current left knee disabilities are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by in-service injuries.

The Veteran's right foot disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service. The Board finds no current disability for the right foot condition.,Service connection is denied as there is no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus disability.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for higher initial evaluations for PTSD, scars of the right wrist and left elbow, shrapnel wound residuals in multiple locations, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals were based on service connection being decided on the merits.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right above the knee amputation as a residual of in-service frostbite is pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with the exception of a noncompensable rating for left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to address the issue of secondary service connection for his right knee osteoarthritis, as well as whether it has been aggravated by his left hip condition.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of TBI and a right knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.