Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and will be remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. Myron Fink and preparing an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the service connection of hypertension.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent and his left knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are not found to warrant higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities of the left and right shoulders, knees, and ankles are as likely as not attributable to his active military service.

The Board has ordered additional development to be completed, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions are taken.

The Veteran's right knee scar is currently rated at 10 percent, effective February 6, 2008. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for the period of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is not proximately due to, aggravated by, or the result of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left hemidiaphragm elevation with restrictive lung disease and sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and reviewing the medical records. The Veteran's right knee disability is being evaluated to determine if it relates to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination reports and a need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging for new VA examinations.

The Board has ordered additional development due to outstanding records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, left finger, and cervical spine disabilities are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's disabilities are related to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence did not establish a direct link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders did not have their onset during active duty service or are related to such service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, with a combined evaluation of limited motion and instability. The claims for increased evaluations are denied as the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The disability was not due to an undiagnosed illness, nor was it exhibited within the first post-service year.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to notification from the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities have not met the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent. The claims for TDIU are also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to newly submitted VA treatment records.