Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updating the claims file with any outstanding records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee and shoulder disabilities. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a current right or left knee disability that was initially manifested in service, within one year of separation from active duty, or caused by the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability. The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to have been incurred during service and is not presumed due to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee subluxation is rated at 20 percent from April 5, 2011 to December 3, 2013 and at 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's right knee limitation of flexion is also rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, as well as his bilateral knee degenerative joint disease (arthritis), are related to service. The appeals for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant in a statement dated January 11, 2017.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The Board previously denied the claim, and the case was remanded multiple times due to incomplete development. The most recent remand required an examination considering all in-service knee injuries, including those documented in the July 1974 service treatment record.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right lower extremity disabilities, including a right knee disability and osteoarthritis in his hip, are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues involving increased ratings for right ankle sprain, herpes simplex and atopic dermatitis, duodenal bulb ulcers and reflux esophagitis prior to February 6, 2015, tinea pedis, and the appeals to reopen claims of service connection for low back pain, phimosis, right knee disorder, chest pain, and anemia.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn as to the issues of increased ratings for right knee instability, lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, right knee degenerative joint disease with limitation of flexion, and right knee degenerative joint disease with limitation of extension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board videoconference hearing. The issues include seeking higher ratings for low back strain, service connection for PTSD and migraines, left knee disability, and residuals of wrist fracture.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, identify any relevant private treatment records, and schedule him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations and a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder caused his bilateral knee disorders, and he is granted service connection for these conditions. His generalized anxiety disorder is rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.

The Veteran's service-connected left leg disabilities result in loss of use of the left lower extremity due to residuals of an injury which so affects the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of a cane.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and left knee disability (chondromalacia) are both found to have originated during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities, specifically whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 30 percent since April 1993. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee chronic tendonitis was denied. The RO granted a 40% rating effective December 10, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to outstanding records from his military service. The VA is instructed to obtain morning reports, after action reports or casualty reports for the period of January to March 1970, as well as any hospitalization records from Cam Ranh Bay.