Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and right biceps disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical opinions and records to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, a bilateral knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion, was rated at 20% from April 23, 2008 to November 12, 2012. Since November 13, 2012, he has been receiving the maximum rating available for his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's right wrist tendonitis, left wrist tendonitis, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are all rated at a 10 percent effective as of January 14, 2014 for the right wrist tendonitis and September 6, 2013 for the right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.,Service connection is granted for a left knee disability. The Veteran's chronic cough and shortness of breath are not service connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues include reopening and granting service connection for vision changes, lumbar spine disability, neuropathy of upper extremities, arthritis of hands, bilateral knee disability, bilateral calf condition, and memory problems.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of a VA examination addressing his knee and back disabilities, as well as an inadequate medical opinion regarding his low back disability. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities are denied as there is no current diagnosis or objective evidence to support the presence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination that includes range of motion testing as per Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease are related to service, including as secondary to his right knee condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right lower leg, thigh, knee, ankle, and back disorders are not related to his active military service or caused by his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his left leg disability is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development, including obtaining dates of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) with the New Jersey National Guard. The Veteran's representative was also given an opportunity to review the claims file.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities, specifically his residuals of right knee ligament strain and degenerative changes of the right knee, are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that these ratings do not meet or exceed the criteria for a higher rating based on instability or limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and reviewing all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left knee degenerative changes with synovial chondromatosis has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.