Knee decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his left knee and right hip disabilities, as well as his low back disability and brain disorder, all claimed as secondary to alcohol abuse. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link between any such disability and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral knee disabilities did not have their onset in service, were not related to service, or manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral elbow disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and left knee disorder are all found to be causally or etiologically due to service.

The Board has granted service connection for photosensitivity as the result of flashburn injury to the eyes, but dismissed appeals regarding right shoulder and right knee disabilities due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The case is remanded for further examination to determine if a current neck disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims, as these records may contain information relevant to his service-connected conditions and their current status.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral knee osteoarthritis is related to military service, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is warranted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a bilateral knee disability before the Board could issue a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability. The case will also be adjudicated again to determine if he is entitled to TDIU.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a bilateral knee disability or hemochromatosis related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service records show a right leg and knee injury in 1961, which is considered to be related to his current disability. The Board finds that the evidence supports the conclusion that the current condition is due to the original military injury.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection of various conditions, including PTSD. The initial rating for PTSD prior to April 30, 2009, and on and after December 1, 2009, was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent treatment records and providing an adequate VA examination of his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of hemorrhoids, lumbar spine disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral knee disabilities, or an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) related to service. The right hip disability is also not supported by evidence.

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

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee arthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome are attributable to service, granting her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and scheduling a VA examination of the left knee.