Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated examination reports and an addendum opinion regarding his service-connected left knee disabilities and their relationship to his right knee and low back conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private records, scheduling a new examination if necessary, and providing an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee and low back disorders are not related to his active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disability, and traumatic brain injury residuals are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after service. The Board also found that any current bilateral knee disability is less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need to determine his active duty and ACDUTRA dates, as well as provide a VA examination to address whether his current knee disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee sprain and found that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left ankle disability was first received on June 4, 2009. The effective date for this service connection is set at June 4, 2009. However, the Veteran contends that his initial rating of 10 percent for his left ankle disability is inadequate and requests a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing and providing a statement of the case regarding the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, as due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury. The Veteran's scar of the right knee is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity and a need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability and a temporary total rating for convalescence following his November 2011 surgery. The claim to reopen was also granted.

The Veteran's headaches have been granted a 50% rating effective June 24, 2014. He also received increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral knee instability from July 17, 2014. The RO has awarded him a TDIU prior to July 17, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and requests for further efforts to locate all available in-service hospitalization records from Ellsworth Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his prison medical records and determining if he completed airborne training.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 20, 2015 due to painful range of motion. The current rating is consistent with the symptoms and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the rating for a painful right knee ganglionectomy scar prior to December 28, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee DJD was denied. The issues of service connection for right shoulder pain, right and left ankle disabilities, and a left leg disability were also addressed but the decision is not clear on whether these claims are granted or denied.