Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left knee disability related to service, and thus the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a right ankle disability during or after service. The Veteran's current right ankle condition was not shown until 2007, which is too long after his separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to assess her right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA medical examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee conditions and for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee strain does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his disability is rated at 10% and he has other factors that allow him to work, such as his educational background and current employment.

The Veteran's left knee and low back disorders are found to be caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral Achilles tendonitis and right knee arthritis. The claim for increased rating of right Achilles tendonitis is dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for internal derangement of the left knee and residuals of spontaneous pneumothorax are denied as there is no evidence showing recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, and the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. His right knee instability is rated at 20 percent, while his degenerative joint disease of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left knee disability and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional evidence being associated with the claims file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is unrelated to any in-service injury. As such, the claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding his ability to work based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not service-connected, as it did not manifest during service or due to a service-connected condition. The examiner found no evidence of an in-service injury and concluded that the degenerative changes were age-related.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that the issue was part of his underlying increased rating claims and remanded it for further development. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for readjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities do not render her unemployable, as she is capable of engaging in sedentary employment.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic synovitis of the right knee, but granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for right knee instability and remanded a claim for entitlement to a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran appealed the denial of an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of her right knee disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right knee disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between his in-service injuries and his current condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her current bilateral leg disability. Additionally, she must be provided with an SOC regarding the issue of automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.