Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis is as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of the service-connected left knee disability and compliance with 38 C.F.R. � 4.59.

The Veteran's current right knee disability is causally related to his service-connected left knee disability, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated as 20 percent for semilunar cartilage dislocation with episodes of locking and pain since July 13, 2009, and an additional 10 percent for slight lateral instability since July 21, 2010. The rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings prior to November 1, 2012 were denied as his right leg radiculopathy did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left knee disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the Veteran's current left knee condition and his service-connected right knee disability. The stomach disability is also found to be secondary to medications used for treatment of service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for depression was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and foot disabilities due to missing VA examination reports and treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain updated private treatment records related to her feet and knees, as well as any relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's claim is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral knee disability has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of his claim.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-arthroscopic repair of a torn meniscus, results in limited range of motion but no instability or other significant functional impairment. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, and the effective date for his service connection for arthritis and instability of the left knee is set at July 1, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle and right knee disorders in February 2007. The Veteran's claims of reopening these issues are still pending.,The Veteran has not submitted new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, psychiatric disability including PTSD, or tinea cruris.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee arthritis is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the loss of his service records and a need to obtain additional information about his hospitalization at Camp Pendleton. The Board will attempt to reconstruct the claims file, seek any missing documents, and schedule VA examinations if necessary.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus and left knee disabilities, warranting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is being remanded due to insufficient medical examination addressing whether his service-connected disabilities require aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are not related to his active service or any incident of service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's service connected left knee disabilities do not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to address the results of range of motion testing and additional functional impairment on repeated use or during flare-ups.