Knee decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The VA examiner concluded that there was no clear scientific basis for the belief that injury or disability in one extremity would cause or aggravate a disability in the opposite extremity.

The Board has remanded the case due to incorrect correspondence addresses, and requests that all relevant records be obtained. The Veteran's psychiatric, respiratory, skin, and joint conditions are being evaluated for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder did not begin in service and is not otherwise related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and thus the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has ordered additional development of the record to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The remand includes obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and seeking VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updating the claims file with any relevant VA or private medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues related to his bilateral pes planus. The Board found that the ankle, knee and leg, hip, lumbar spondylosis, right shoulder strain, and left shoulder disabilities are not linked to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate physical examination report and failure to ensure compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's additional left knee disability, caused by VA medical treatment, was not reasonably foreseeable. The claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chondromalacia of the right knee was denied, and his TDIU claim with a prior effective date prior to June 25, 2009, was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a VA examination and the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant records from VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VRE) service, U.S. Postal Service, and Office of Personnel Management.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, which is considered a direct service connection as no presumption or secondary condition was established. The other conditions are still under consideration.

The Veteran's left knee internal derangement and right knee degenerative joint disease were granted increased ratings, with the left knee receiving a 20% rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a back or left knee disability caused by his service, and denied both claims.

The Veteran was granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, atopic dermatitis, AC joint spurring of the right shoulder, and left knee strain. The claims for higher initial ratings and service connection for hearing loss, loss of great toe nails, and right hip pain are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right knee disabilities were denied as his conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and because additional private treatment records are needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's tinnitus and migraines have been granted service connection, with a 30 percent rating for migraines effective March 9, 2009. The bilateral knee condition issue is pending.

The Veteran's low back disability is not service connected, and his GERD, bilateral foot condition, right knee condition, headaches, and left arm condition are not related to service or any incident of service origin.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis for the Veteran's claimed conditions.