Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected left and right knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and BPH, finding no credible evidence of these conditions during the Veteran's period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or within one year after separation. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to reopen the claim for right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board hearing due to her inability to travel for the scheduled hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service.,VA medical opinions found no evidence of chronic conditions in service and concluded that current diagnoses are less likely related to service.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for service connection of left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied as the earliest date entitlement arose is December 10, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee, left hip, and left heel disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after these examinations are conducted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the filing of a timely notice of disagreement on several service connection claims and rating issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination by an orthopedic physician to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disabilities. The claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation consistent with her educational and occupational background.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between his gastrointestinal condition and his service-connected back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder did not manifest within one year of his discharge from service and was not caused or aggravated by any disease, injury, or incident in service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for the issue of a TDIU prior to December 15, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the right and left knees are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each, with flexion limited to 100 degrees or less in both knees. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to failure to report for a scheduled Board hearing and other procedural issues.

The Board has not found sufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's left knee condition is service-connected. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing the Veteran's medical records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis requires additional development due to lack of recent examination and incomplete VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his knee, low back, and left ankle disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has ordered that the Veteran be contacted to identify all VA and non-VA health care providers who have treated him or evaluated him since service for either claimed disability. The AOJ was required to take reasonable steps to obtain those records after a new VA examination was conducted in October 2014, which found the claims were not supported by evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.