Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered and the appropriate medical opinions are obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disorders, finding no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year of separation. The Board also found that there was insufficient credible evidence to link any current disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board granted a separate compensable rating for right knee instability with an effective date of October 13, 2007. The Veteran's claim was based on his credible report of instability and the use of a knee brace.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right knee, hip, and ankle disabilities have been denied. The claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disorder, right knee disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and a sleep disorder to include as secondary to a service connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and leg disability is not causally related to his service, and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle sprain with osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to be of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder and a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disabilities in service or within one year after service discharge. The Board also found that the weight of the evidence did not support a finding that these disorders are related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability and denied service connection for this condition. The psychiatric disability claim is pending as it was raised in the appeal but no SOC has been issued.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including symptoms of locking, catching, pain, instability, and removal of semilunar cartilage, warrants a separate 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to scheduling issues, and no rating decision or effective date is provided.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of the right knee disorder and granted it. The remaining claims, including those on the merits, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee and hip disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, effective September 2009. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of Persian Gulf service and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral knee disorder, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The claims of service connection for lumbar spine disorder, genitourinary disorder, residuals of retained foreign body in right cheek, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of right tibia stress fracture, bilateral hip bursitis and arthritis, bilateral knee conditions (including meniscus pathology, medial collateral ligament laxity, and traumatic arthritis), and bilateral ankle arthritis as secondary to his service-connected intermittent compartment syndrome of the right leg.,The appeal regarding a foot condition is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left lower extremity disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination. The issues of a disability evaluation in excess of 60 percent for his left total knee replacement residuals, and entitlement to TDIU are both under consideration.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities. The evidence submitted is cumulative of previous records or does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.