Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service connection for a headache disorder and patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees has been granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for each knee, with no higher ratings due to limitations in range of motion.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal due to her withdrawal of appeals for reopening service connection claims and denied her increased evaluations for right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues related to his spine, joints, and skin conditions is dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board grants service connection for PTSD with depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, arrange for a right shoulder and left knee examination, and address the issues of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, as well as new evidence added to his claims file. The issues include evaluations for various knee and ankle conditions, a compensable evaluation for bronchitis, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and left knee arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than June 23, 2012 for the assignment of disability ratings for right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was denied for sleep apnea due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of his low back, left knee, and right hip disabilities. The examination should determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn all pending claims on appeal due to the dismissal of the case.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have service connection for her claimed lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, or left knee disorders due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder, right knee strain, and left meniscal tear are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings due to the lack of evidence showing more severe impairment.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including ankylosis and instability, warrants a 30 percent rating effective November 9, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate VA examination reports, specifically failing to address functional loss during flare-ups as required by Mitchell v. Shinseki (2011).

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added to the record since the March 2013 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the knees and ankles has been denied as there is no evidence of a separate disability. The claims for increased ratings for residuals of right tibial stress fracture and left proximal femur stress fracture have also been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee and back disabilities are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right foot disabilities, including any associated altered gait. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his knee conditions.