Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain VA treatment records and afford him a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disability, right knee disability, or right lower extremity disability that is related to his active military service. The evidence does not support granting service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left knee and shoulder conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for ACL tear and DJD, with no compensable rating for limitation of extension. A separate 20 percent rating has been granted for the medial meniscal tear.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate January 2013 VA medical opinion and a need to consider aggravation of a pre-existing condition during reserve service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination. The case will be readjudicated with consideration of whether separate compensable ratings are warranted.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development, including scheduling another VA examination and obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased initial ratings for lumbar spondylosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative changes of the acromioclavicular joint of the right shoulder, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and residuals of a pudendal nerve injury. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected internal derangement of the right knee and DJD of the right knee have been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to her active service, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection.,Similarly, the Board found no evidence of a current left knee disability within one year after discharge from service, and therefore cannot establish service connection based on chronicity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is remanded due to new and material evidence having been received. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and TDIU as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran needs a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disorder and whether he requires regular aid and attendance or is housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including his lumbar spine disorder) precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 26, 2015.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim for service connection, but concluded that there was no relationship between the Veteran's current left knee disability and his military service. The claim was therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure that his claims are properly adjudicated, including the need for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability. The case is being remanded for further development, including an examination by an orthopedist to determine the nature and likely etiology of his right knee disability.

The Veteran's joint pain in the low back, mid-back, bilateral knees and sensory changes is attributed to fibromyalgia due to medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness. The Board has granted service connection for these symptoms.