Knee decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability and arthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not service connected, but the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to clarify the relationship between his right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and depressive disorder contributed substantially to his death from a probable myocardial infarction due to hypertension. As such, the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is moot.

The Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted for the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy. The evidence does not support a finding of more than mild incomplete paralysis throughout the rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the passage of time and his allegations of worsening conditions. He will be provided new VA examinations for his knee conditions and insomnia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his right knee disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a shoulder condition, bilateral knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and pes planus. The decision also addressed his claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD but did not reach this issue due to other pending issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to service. Additional treatment records and an opinion from a VA physician are needed.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right knee disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the Veteran's claim of in-service injury and current symptoms. The Board also found that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the current condition is related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings in accordance with his current symptoms and disability levels.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a TDIU being awarded. The right knee and left knee disabilities are rated at their maximum levels under the applicable schedular criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate rationale in the August 2014 VA medical opinion regarding whether the service-connected right knee disorder caused or aggravated the claimed left knee disorder. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA examination to address this issue.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal for the issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to July 14, 2008, and in excess of 30 percent effective July 14, 2008, for GERD; entitlement to a compensable rating prior to July 14, 2008, and in excess of 10 percent effective July 14, 2008, for residuals of bilateral foot stress fractures; entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome; and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right leg disability, including whether it is related to his service-connected coronary artery disease or any other diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed disabilities, including service connection claims and asbestos exposure claims.

The Veteran's service-connected eczema dermatitis is currently rated at 10 percent, effective November 26, 2012. The appeal for a higher initial evaluation remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder was denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes at any time during the pendency of his claim. For the remaining conditions, a remand is necessary to afford the Veteran another VA examination.