Knee decisions — 2015

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, left and right knee disabilities, and a right shoulder scar. The Veteran's current knee conditions are not considered to be related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination for the Veteran's right knee disability. The issues of service connection for back disability and TDIU remain on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back, left knee, and right knee disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence linking these disabilities to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for DJD of the right knee, status-post total knee arthroplasty (TKA), prior to November 30, 2010 was granted with a 50 percent disability rating. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is reopened but not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including his status post residuals of a left knee menisectomy, is related to service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee tendonitis is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and ankle conditions, as well as a claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left tibia fracture. The evidence did not support finding that these conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected left leg disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected disabilities and whether they are related to his low back disability. Additionally, a TDIU claim will be considered.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, right knee chondromalacia, and left knee chondromalacia were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of any increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to concerns about the sufficiency of the VA examination and the consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his right knee injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, acid reflux, and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions in the February 2011 decision. The dental claim is also being remanded for additional VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot pes planus was denied. Service connection was granted for degenerative joint disease of the hips and knees, with separate evaluations assigned prior to March 14, 2014. Separate evaluations in excess of 10 percent were granted for hip and knee disabilities from that date. A compensable evaluation was granted for right hip disability prior to March 11, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's right lower extremity vascular disability and subsequent above-the-knee amputation were not caused by VA's carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The decision is mixed as it granted compensation for both the vascular disability and the amputation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee disorder during service and concluded that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.