Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's left knee disorder is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development of his claims, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his knee and PTSD disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his depressive disorder claim. The right knee and left ankle disabilities will be evaluated again to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's left knee medial meniscus tear and to address the degree of additional range of motion during flare-ups. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected psychiatric disability, hallux valgus of the feet, tendonitis of the knees, and pes planus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for scoliosis, degenerative joint/disc disease of the back, right leg disability, left thigh/thigh disability, and bilateral knee disability as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not have its onset in service or within one year of service, nor is it shown to be caused by active military service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a conclusion that arthritis of the back, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, or a bladder/prostate disability are etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining treatment records. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left knee disability based on limitation of motion and instability remain on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus did not permanently increase in severity during service, and there is no current evidence of a knee disability related to service. The claim for bilateral knee disability must be denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not related to a service-connected disability. The compensable rating for residuals of a fractured left fifth metatarsal has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to service.,Service connection was granted for left ear hearing loss as being caused by military noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend scheduled hearings and the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues on appeal include service connection, rating increases, and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to scheduling issues with VA examinations in Spain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and providing the Veteran with a statement of the case on an earlier effective date issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during service or within one year after separation, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the Veteran's remaining claims on appeal can be decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder tendonitis, bilateral thumb arthritis, right hip tendonitis/right SI joint arthritis, and bilateral knee arthritis are related to his military service.