Knee decisions — 2016

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability of the knees, legs, or hips in service and denied claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of a basis for rating each claim on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new examination of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities. The appeal will be returned to the Board after this is completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and records from Kaiser Permanente.

The Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the right knee, degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, left hallux valgus and bunion deformity with early degenerative changes of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and bone spurs of the right ankle are all related to his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule the appellant for a videoconference hearing at his local RO.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of entitlement to service connection for cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea during a hearing before the Board. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the cyst of the mid back and chest pains have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear at a scheduled Travel Board hearing and the need for issuance of a statement of the case regarding his tinnitus claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric, foot, knee, and thyroid disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral knee disorder or spine disorder related to his military service and therefore denied these claims. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied as he does not have any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability, right hip and left hip disabilities, residuals of fracture of right femur with scar, muscle herniation and femur shortening, and moderate knee disability, or painful motion of the right shoulder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral testicular epididymitis and found that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service. The remaining issues on appeal will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and hospitalization information.

The Board has determined that there was no actual improvement in the Veteran's service-connected bilateral PFPS with instability, and thus the reduction from 10% to 0% for both knees is not proper.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding his service-connected glaucoma.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his service-connected left knee disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for right ankle avulsion fracture residuals, service connection for left knee and low back disorders were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to March 1, 2013, or a 20 percent evaluation after March 1, 2013 for right ankle avulsion fracture residuals. Service connection was also denied for left knee and low back disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple spine conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a VA examination and obtain additional medical records. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for his right knee disability and service connection for COPD are also being addressed.