Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of the record, particularly regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current knee and back disabilities. The claims for service connection are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his right knee disability and to address any pending claims, including entitlement to an automobile allowance and/or adaptive equipment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to any incident of service, including a fall on her knees during PT. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has not reviewed all relevant VA treatment records from Tulsa, Oklahoma for the Veteran's knee and respiratory disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain these records and reconsider the claims.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10%.,Cervical intervertebral disc syndrome was initially rated at 20%, and from September 27, 2013 to December 8, 2014, it was rated at 30%. From December 9, 2014, the rating is 30%.,Thoracolumbar spine DDD with lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and thoracic disc herniation has been rated as 20% from December 9, 2014.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity was initially rated at 30%. From December 9, 2014, it is rated at 30%.,Right hip strain has a rating of 10%.,Status post bilateral inguinal hernia repair with scars have been rated as 10% since August 30, 2002 and remains at 10%.,Left knee scarring was initially rated at noncompensable (0%) prior to September 27, 2013. From September 27, 2013, it is rated as 20%

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the right knee disability issue, resulting in its dismissal.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal with regard to all remaining claims prior to the issuance of a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, and headache disability. The Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left knee degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis), and patellar chondromalacia of the left knee are all service-connected. The neurological disorder of the left shoulder is not service-connected.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be decided.

The Veteran's GAD is rated at 100 percent, and his right knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The appeal for increased ratings has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiner and the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral knee strain, early mild degenerative joint disease/osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees (slight spurring posterior patella), and bilateral ankle strain, claimed as residuals of bilateral leg fractures. The case must be remanded to obtain a supplemental medical opinion addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cause of death, listed as acute respiratory failure due to COPD, was not caused or substantially contributed to by any service-connected condition. The appellant's claim for a heart disability in service is unsubstantiated and speculative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disability, as well as his claim for TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations. The case is returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected unspecified trauma-related disorder.,Service connection for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees has been granted.