Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn by his attorney, effectively dismissing all claims.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his exposure to lead paint in service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including ligament injury with unstable knee and surgical scars, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for the surgical scars remains on appeal.

The Board finds that additional development is required for the claims of service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and left great toe disabilities due to incomplete records and lack of consideration of lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are not service-connected, and his right knee disability is denied as secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's knee braces did not cause irreparable damage to her clothing, and thus the criteria for a clothing allowance have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is not related to his service, including repeated parachute jumps. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are related to her service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by pain and slight instability, warrants a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5260.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his service or a service-connected condition, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, a bilateral knee disability, and depressive disorder. The Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine scoliosis is considered a developmental disease for VA purposes; it manifested in service and is etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's left knee instability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under DC 5257. The other issues have not been granted as they are either already covered by the current rating or do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle and left knee disabilities do not warrant increased ratings as they are currently rated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals due to his failure to appear at the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disorder, back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, allergies, heart disorder, acne, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability, and for further development of his claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and considering a TDIU prior to February 21, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.