Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests for additional records. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee, wrist, hand, and back disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service or related to a service-connected disability. The right knee disorder was granted service connection but with an initial rating of 10% prior to October 5, 2009, and 30% thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, with no additional functional loss due to pain or other factors. The VA examinations and outpatient treatment records consistently document the Veteran’s complaints of pain, stiffness, and occasional instability in both knees.,Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran has not met the schedular criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and ensuring proper consideration of all submitted evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his left knee condition. The issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability and entitlement to TDIU are also part of this appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his military service or training, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from the Veteran's Reserve service and clarifying whether there was an inservice increase in severity of his preexisting right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the conditions listed, including Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee as secondary to his right knee condition. The issue of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% evaluation for sinusitis with allergic rhinitis effective November 10, 2010.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, foot disability, and bilateral ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine, shoulders, knees, and ankles have been denied. The Veteran was granted a compensable rating for his left foot status post fracture of the third toe.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for an increased rating for a mood disorder, were denied. The Veteran was scheduled for VA examinations but failed to report.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as increased ratings for PTSD, depressive disorder NOS, and panic disorder without agoraphobia, and a left ankle sprain. The Veteran's claims were not substantiated by new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic brain injury, but denied service connection for low back disability, right hand contusion, left knee disability, and right ankle disability.

The Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not service-connected as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the medical evidence does not show a nexus between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and additional medical records, including private treatment records from Dr. C., Dr. F., and Dr. B.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee condition and whether there are additional limits on functional ability due to pain or flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. He has submitted a motion for a new hearing and has provided medical documentation indicating he was under care following recent surgery, which caused him to miss the hearing.