Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral knee disabilities, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her bilateral knee disability was granted. However, she is not entitled to service connection for a low back disability as there is no current diagnosis and the evidence does not support a finding that such a condition is related to her service-connected bilateral knee strain.

The Veteran's right knee disorder has been rated at 10 percent since August 1, 2006. He is also entitled to a separate evaluation of 10 percent for slight recurrent lateral instability.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a right knee disability that was incurred during active service and is entitled to service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of a left knee disability during or since service.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee, right shoulder, and right ankle disabilities. This includes obtaining a new VA examination to assess the current severity of these conditions and obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for stomach disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee surgical scars were granted. The initial compensable rating claim for the left knee surgical scars was denied as noncompensably disabling. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled videoconference hearing. He will be given another opportunity to attend the hearing.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis B was not incurred during service and is not related to his military service. The remaining issues of service connection for knee meniscal tears, disc disease with chronic low back pain, sleep apnea, and shoulder rotator cuff tears were denied as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee and foot disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a Travel Board hearing at the requested location. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD and did not address the other issues as they were not part of a single, pending appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee and right hand disabilities are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are service-connected based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disability and has determined that the preexisting condition was aggravated by service. The current right knee disability is related to the in-service aggravation of the preexisting right knee disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim was withdrawn prior to decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and major depression, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 9, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and medical inquiry into the service connection claim for sleep apnea and the increased rating claim for left knee disability.