Knee decisions — 2016

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not shown to have been manifested during service or within one year postservice, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The VA examinations do not support a finding that his current knee disabilities are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the unavailability of a hearing officer who participated in his previous hearing. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and providing him with VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was granted, and he is currently rated at 20 percent for instability. He also has degenerative arthritis of the right knee which warrants an additional 10 percent rating under DC 5003.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, sinusitis, and right knee disorder are all found to be related to service. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has restored the previous disability ratings for the Veteran's right knee conditions, finding that his disabilities had not improved in a manner that enhanced his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to missing military personnel records, hospitalization records, and service treatment records. The Veteran's right calf and knee disorders are under review for possible service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues with the mailing address and for obtaining additional medical records related to her low back, right knee, psoriasis, and eczema claims.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability is characterized by x-ray evidence of posttraumatic osteoarthritis, and is manifested by painful motion. The RO has granted a 10 percent rating for the service-connected posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a new VA medical examination and an inquiry into Social Security Administration records. The issues of service connection for left knee disability and right knee disability are also on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee disorders did not manifest in service or within one year of separation, and are not otherwise related to his military service. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ring finger and knee disorders. The Veteran will be provided with an examination and any other necessary development before his claims can be readjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder, and his claimed back, neck, knee, hip, and nerve disorders are not related to service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine condition, left upper extremity numbness, lumbar spine condition, and bilateral knee condition. The evidence shows that these conditions preexisted service but were aggravated by his final period of active duty service.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed before the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder can be fully adjudicated.

All issues related to service connection have been granted. The Veteran's cluster headaches are rated at 50% effective October 1, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bowel disorder, right eye disorder, deviated septum, skin disorder, tinnitus, right ankle disorder, and right knee disorder have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in these conditions.