Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's protein S deficiency, left knee disability, and right knee disability are not related to her military service. The lung condition (postoperative pulmonary emphysema) is also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service event.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and private treatment records. The Veteran's right knee and back disabilities are being reviewed to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee and foot conditions, prevent him from securing or following gainful employment. His left knee surgery required convalescence from December 9, 2010 to March 31, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis and right knee arthritis. The Veteran's organic heart disease (atrial fibrillation) is also considered to be related to his military service.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's left knee disorder, right knee arthritis, and atrial fibrillation based on direct evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left knee and low back disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and chronic lumbar strain with left lumbar radiculopathy are causally related to his service-connected left knee, foot, and ankle disabilities. As such, these conditions have been granted as secondary to those service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle and right knee disabilities are related to an injury sustained during Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) in July 1989, which is considered service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his in-service jeep accident, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further development is required.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not develop due to service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated during service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of TDIU and earlier effective dates are also being addressed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a left knee disorder, finding that his current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining the Veteran's DD Form 214 and verifying periods of active duty for training (ADT) and inactive duty for training (IADT). The AOJ should also obtain VA medical records and provide a supplemental VA examination to clarify whether the Veteran has current low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including alopecia, sinusitis, fibromyalgia, lumbosacral strain, osteoarthropathy of the right and left knees, have been granted with a 10 percent rating for each condition. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the St. Louis RO for a hearing, as he requested a rescheduling of his scheduled videoconference hearing at the Chicago RO.

The Veteran is granted TDIU and has a combined disability rating of 90 percent, meeting the criteria for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has found that further development is needed for VA to fulfill its duties under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability and a TDIU. The Board has determined that further development, including obtaining medical evidence and scheduling a VA examination, is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated.