Knee decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disorder did not have its onset during service, was not directly caused by service, and did not manifest within one year of separation from service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action. The issues related to his right shoulder, knee, and hypertension are being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including rescheduling of VA examinations and obtaining private treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee condition was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection. The skin condition issue is pending as there is no evidence of a current chronic skin condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disability is not related to service and is not secondary to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been rated based on their current severity.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with a previous remand directive. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted. For the period prior to July 22, 2009, he was awarded a 10 percent rating for Paget's disease of the left knee with limitation of motion. From July 22, 2009 to August 9, 2013, his instability associated with Paget's disease of the left knee warranted a 40 percent rating. Since October 1, 2014, he has been rated at 60 percent for total knee replacement.

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

The Veteran's nonservice-connected right knee disability and psychiatric disorder are considered permanent and total, meeting the criteria for pension benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee strain and lumbar myofasciitis (back disability) have been denied.,A rating in excess of 10% for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the appellant's preexisting condition was aggravated by injury during active duty. The claim is reopened and service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the lack of a VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current knee disability. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal for all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his left knee and shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he passed away before a decision could be made.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the right knee disability, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss disability claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his right and left knee disabilities, as well as potential SSA records. The automobile and adaptive equipment claim and SMC claim are also inextricably intertwined with these service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis and avascular necrosis of the left knee, right hip, and left hip did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, bilateral hip, and low back disabilities. The preponderance of the evidence shows that these conditions did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including ratings for PTSD, anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, right knee condition with osteoarthritis and scars, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for a videoconference hearing.