Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for right knee instability and limitation of motion were denied by the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not manifest within one year of separation from service and could not be presumed to have been incurred during active service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder by way of aggravation. The low back disability claim is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and found that the Veteran met the schedular criteria for a TDIU from December 16, 2011.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back or knee disability in service, and the Veteran's current disabilities are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and scars. The appeal will be readjudicated based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and tinnitus, finding no current disabilities or evidence of in-service injury. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between any current hearing loss and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine, left ankle, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The claims for sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome are dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain missing records, including SSA and VA vocational rehabilitation records. The Veteran's right knee disorder case will also be remanded for a supplemental opinion from the December 2009 examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for a groin area skin disability and dismissed the appeal seeking service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome. The Veteran's bilateral knee disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the service-connected right knee disability, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are also found to be related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for a VA examination. The issues of increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and right knee injury are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar strain, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are denied as there is no clear evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The claim for left shoulder disability is granted, while the claim for left fifth finger disability remains pending due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee strain and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is a result of his active duty service and grants the claim for service connection.