Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a nexus to service. The claim for TDIU was also denied as there is no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left knee disability, as it did not meet the criteria for an increase in disability beyond what was already assigned. His skin disorder, right claw foot, and hypertension were also not supported by the evidence provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability. The issues of increased evaluations for left knee DJD with limitation of motion, tenderness and crepitus and left knee instability are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected right knee disability and his claimed left knee DJD.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of her right and left knee disabilities, as well as a determination on her claim for TDIU. The claims will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate development, including a failure to provide medical opinions and VA examinations as requested in the November 2015 remand. The case is now pending for further consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference hearing and further development.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the AOJ for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus have all been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support granting any of these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current upper back, lower back, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or chronic disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident were due to his own willful misconduct, and therefore not incurred in the line of duty. As such, service connection for the claimed conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining private medical records. The appeal is pending further action.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, was not caused or aggravated by any aspect of service and did not manifest during service or within one year of separation.,The presumption of soundness is rebutted and the Veteran's left hip disability pre-existed his November 2002 active duty service.,The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia patella degenerative changes, was not caused or aggravated by any aspect of service and did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service.,There is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder that had its onset in service, manifested within one year of separation from service, or is otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee ACL tear and instability were not supported by the evidence, as there was no indication of flexion limited to 30 degrees or more, or moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The Veteran's DJD of the right knee resulted in limited motion, with pain and flare-ups. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent prior to April 4, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a more contemporaneous VA examination that complies with the holding of Correia v. McDonald.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder, hypertension, knee joint pains, myalgia, weight loss, and fatigue have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a current disability or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, neck disability, right hand disability, left hand disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including DJD and instability, was rated at 20 percent prior to December 9, 2011. The RO granted a separate rating of 10 percent for limitation of motion.