Knee decisions — 2015

The Board found no evidence of a causal link between the Veteran's in-service knee complaints and her current diagnosed left and right knee disabilities, thus denying service connection for both knees.

The Veteran's right knee disability, manifested by intermediate degrees of residual weakness, pain or limitation of motion, does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to his other service-connected disabilities. The claim for a right hip condition has been denied as well.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of simple fracture of the right tibia and fibula. The appeal will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) after this development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not provide sufficient medical nexus opinions regarding his current disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims due to need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound injury to the right hip and residuals of injury to the right knee, finding no current disability in either condition and insufficient evidence linking any current conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by their representative, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with the decision.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current back disability and left knee disability are related to his service-connected right knee disability, warranting a grant of service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not have its onset during active service or within one year thereafter, and it is not causally related to active service. The Board also determined that the left knee disability was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee and left eye disabilities, as required by McLendon v. Nicholson.

The Veteran's ligamentous injury of the left knee with residual arthritis, including a meniscal condition with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint, is rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right knee disability that is related to service or a service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's increased ratings for her left and right knee disabilities have been denied. The current evaluations are considered appropriate.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be reached on the merits of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and is related to noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, knee disability, shoulder disability, elbow disability, wrist disability, hand disability, and hip disability are granted as they are considered direct service connections due to cold injury exposure.

The Board granted service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, left knee injury, hypertension, and residuals of frostbite of the left great toe. The Veteran's other claims were also addressed.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The increased disability ratings for the knee disabilities and bilateral pes planus are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation of his current condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and medical opinions to determine the etiology of his right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and headaches. Outstanding VA treatment records are also requested.