Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the low back and right knee disabilities before a decision was made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bladder outlet obstruction and left knee, spine, and neurological disabilities of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 21, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, including whether it is related to service-connected stress fracture of the right femur or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA's remand instructions have not been fully addressed, and thus the case is being returned to the AOJ for further development and adjudication.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and skin disability. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for further action due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected pes planus aggravated his back and knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia are secondary to his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis, low back strain, and bilateral pes planus. As a result, the appeal is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred or aggravated during his active military service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a retrospective medical evaluation of the Veteran's right knee disability and a supplemental clinical opinion regarding his service connection claim for Hepatitis C. The issues remain on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right knee or right shoulder disability related to service.,Service connection for a right knee and right shoulder disability is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury, disease, or event; nor any nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and hallux valgus. The claim for PFB was granted as it is presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The issues include service connection for various disabilities and a TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a video-conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied as the earliest date of claim is March 13, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as the issues of entitlement to higher initial disability ratings for lumbar muscle sprain/strain; left shoulder strain; an initial compensable disability rating for hallux valgus, right foot (claimed as foot pain); and an initial compensable disability rating for hallux valgus, left foot (claimed as foot pain) have been dismissed due to a lack of timely substantive appeal. The claim of service connection for nausea and vomiting is also dismissed as already service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right ankle and left ankle conditions, finding no current diagnoses. The claim for increased rating of right knee strain was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities, as there is no evidence showing a nexus to service.

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

The Veteran's right knee disability, specifically limited extension, is rated at 40 percent since February 18, 2013.