Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left wrist sprain and right ankle sprain was received on April 10, 2014. The Board finds that the earliest claim for entitlement to benefits for both a left wrist sprain and a right ankle sprain was received on April 10, 2014.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and anxiety), cervical spine disability, hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and low back disability are all related to his active service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a diagnosed low back, right knee, or left knee disability during service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Veteran's complaints have not been supported by objective medical findings and his assertions alone are not competent to establish a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA outpatient treatment records and providing an orthopedic assessment to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee condition is related to his service-connected disabilities of the lower extremities or incurred in active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder did not pre-exist his service and was not incurred or aggravated during service. The VA examiner concluded that any current left knee disorder is less likely than not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder did not develop during service and is not related to any in-service injury. The preexisting condition was determined to be less likely caused by or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, clarifying the Veteran's service treatment history, and scheduling a VA examination to assess his knee conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to an event, injury, or disease in service and finds it at least as likely as not that his current right knee disability is due to his military service.

The Veteran's joint pains are attributed to known clinical diagnoses of degenerative conditions and are not related to his active service, including exposure to environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the final denial. The claim is granted as these conditions are found to be related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his left leg and right knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of recent legal precedent.

The Board has ordered additional examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his service, including a football injury in 1979. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left elbow and ulnar nerve injuries were denied. The effective date of the granted rating remains unchanged at February 2, 1993.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of all pending claims before the Board.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee arthritis disability in December 1983, finding that the correct facts were before them and they did not incorrectly apply any regulations. The decision is upheld.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a right knee disability for which service connection can be granted. The preponderance of evidence shows no diagnosis or etiology provided by VA examiners.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues of service connection for left knee disability and right knee disability, including as secondary to a left knee disability, are pending.

The Veteran's right and left ankle, knee, and hand arthritis are found to have been caused by in-service incidents. Service connection is granted for all six conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing for the issues of service connection for a blood disorder, hives/skin condition, and left knee disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as the Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for a pulmonary condition, an increased disability rating higher than 40 percent for residuals of a left leg shell fragment wound, and an initial disability rating higher than 20 percent for left lower extremity scar residual of shrapnel wound and skin graft. The Board also found that the Veteran's lumbar spine strain is secondary to his service-connected residuals of a left leg shell fragment wound.