Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and conducting VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities and non-service connected lower back disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 90%, meeting the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability. The issue will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of this condition. The claim for service connection for a bilateral elbow disability was not addressed due to the Veteran refusing to report for the VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran increased ratings for his left knee, left hip, and lumbar spine disabilities. The left knee disability is now rated at 60 percent, the left hip disability at 30 percent, and the lumbar spine disability at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for new and material evidence, as well as for a VA examination. The Veteran's bilateral knee and left ankle disability claims are being reopened, but his hearing loss claim requires an SOC.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees. After considering all evidence, including VA examinations and treatment records, the Board finds that there is at least equipoise on the issue of whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability and consideration of whether he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's claimed conditions of bilateral pes planus, knee disability (chondromalacia patella), back disability, and hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent, effective November 26, 2013. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to military service or herbicide exposure. Service connection for ischemic heart disease was also denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disorder is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and a proper examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess her knee disabilities and need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues being inextricably intertwined with increased rating claims and a TDIU claim. The Veteran is required to complete VA Form 21-8940 for his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's current right knee disorder results from injury incurred during a period of ACDUTRA in July 1966, and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a rating of 20 percent effective February 3, 2007, and her left knee disability was granted a rating of 20 percent effective January 1, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to service and cannot be considered secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot, knee, hip and shoulder disabilities due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship with her service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support service connection for degenerative arthritis of the knees or neck, as these conditions were not shown to be related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders are not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.