Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations to evaluate the service-connected chondromalacia patellae of the right knee and migraine headaches, as well as to determine whether he has any residuals of traumatic brain injury. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability. The issue of TDIU will also be considered as part of this process.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee conditions are being remanded to allow for additional development of the evidence.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right knee disorder. The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and requests additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracic spine disorder and right knee disability, finding no evidence of such disorders in service or within one year post-service. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide the Veteran with an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee patella tendonitis, chondromalacia, torn lateral meniscus, and osteoarthritis are the result of injury incurred in service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disorder, bilateral leg disorder (DJD of knees), muscle damage, and nerve damage. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent for instability and giving way, effective August 8, 2014. The RO has also granted a TDIU based on the service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating than the currently assigned evaluations.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic lung cancer, which the VA examiner linked to his exposure to petrochemicals in service.,The Veteran had arthritis of the knees during service and this condition has been linked to his post-service knee problems.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left total knee replacement is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues on appeal, citing satisfaction with the assigned ratings.

The Veteran's right knee disability was awarded a 100 percent evaluation effective August 19, 2014 due to his total knee replacement.

The Veteran's left knee condition is being remanded for additional development to determine if it is related to service, including a fall in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and right hip conditions are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's combined disability evaluation was 60 percent prior to September 9, 2008. His service-connected disabilities did not arise from a common etiology and he did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU during this period. As of September 9, 2008, his combined disability evaluation was 70 percent with at least one disability evaluated as 40 percent; his service-connected disabilities alone rendered him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed heart disorder, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral knee disorder are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee disability was granted at 20 percent effective June 4, 2005. The claim for higher ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including headaches, COPD and Pickwickian syndrome, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, arthritis of the neck, arthritis of the legs (claimed as knees), arthritis of the back, arthritis of the shoulders, an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic liver disease, and a heart condition. The claims were denied based on lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.