Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to additional military service verification and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for knee disorders will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and residuals of a right foot injury. The claim for a headache disorder is pending.,Service connection was also granted for a chronic bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, diagnosed as patellofemoral syndrome, was caused by strenuous physical activity during active service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's current left knee arthritis is found to have its onset during a period of active duty for training in October 1975, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The right knee and PTSD claims are remanded due to incomplete VA electronic file at the time of the October 2014 examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee and hip disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of any in-service injury or symptoms. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and updating the family income calculation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to a request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that there was no direct or secondary service connection based on evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee, left arm, and left shoulder disorders are not related to his military service. The VA examinations did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right shoulder disability that is service-connected, and therefore denied his claim for service connection for this condition. The left knee issue remains pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the right knee secondary issue.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been granted, but the initial ratings for these conditions prior to specific dates are being remanded. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as the criteria were not met at the time of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right or left knee disability that was incurred in service and is not related to any inservice injury. The Veteran's current diagnoses are attributed to post-service occupational injuries.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee condition was aggravated by events during his active service.

The Veteran's reactive airway disease is rated at 30 percent effective October 25, 2013. His musculoskeletal strain of the lumbosacral spine remains rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's ACL deficiency of the left knee is rated at 10 percent from January 2, 2007 to March 13, 2007.

The Veteran's left knee injuries and DJD are currently rated based on their service-connected status.,A separate rating is granted for the history of a partial meniscectomy in the left knee.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show any chronic conditions in service or within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claimed right knee disability, left leg stress fracture, and generalized osteoarthritis are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active service or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's right knee condition was manifested by limited extension and a torn medial meniscus, resulting in a 30 percent rating since October 29, 2009.,A separate 20 percent rating for the torn medial meniscus is granted from January 25, 2007.