Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and potential toxic exposure issues.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and bilateral pes planus (claimed bilateral foot pain) as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There is no direct evidence linking any of these disabilities to service. The Veteran's preexisting conditions were not shown to be aggravated during his period of active duty.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for a low back disability, left knee contusion residuals, and a chronic eye disability (teary eyes, vision condition). The claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back and knee conditions, achilles tendonitis, and sinusitis, have precluded her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 26, 2020. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these disabilities prevented her from working.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since September 29, 2006. The Veteran contends for an increased rating, which the Board finds to be remanded due to further development being necessary.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding her sleep disability, right ankle sprain, left wrist sprain, right wrist sprain, and right knee sprain/strain.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right arm disability, sleep disorder, and GERD were denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease, no continuity of symptomatology, and insufficient evidence linking the conditions to service.,Service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI), lumbar spine disability, dizziness, headaches, gastrointestinal disability (undiagnosed illness), and chronic fatigue syndrome was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee instability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded for additional development of medical records and an orthopedic examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee and leg disorders due to insufficient examination opinions addressing the Veteran's assertions regarding in-service onset of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions. The Veteran's testimony and medical records indicate that these conditions are likely related to her periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder and granted it, finding that there is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's condition is related to his military service. The rating assigned remains at 0%.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left foot disorder, and right foot disorder effective from April 1, 2017.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for right shoulder, left elbow, bilateral ankle, bilateral knee, cervical spine, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to incomplete consideration of the Veteran's credible testimony regarding in-service injuries and continued symptoms after separation from service.

The Board has remanded several claims, including reopening of service connection claims for various conditions and rating the duodenal ulcer. Additional records are needed to confirm military service periods and obtain missing treatment records.

PTSD and COPD have been granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure during service. Left knee degenerative arthritis and lumbar degenerative disc disease have also been granted.,Right knee issues, including limitation of flexion, extension, lateral instability, and partial removal of semilunar cartilage, are all granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and the Veteran not having provided authorization for release of his non-VA medical records. The AOJ must make reasonable efforts to obtain these records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability has been granted. The Veteran is also granted an initial compensable rating for their RUE and LUE thoracic outlet syndrome, but the claims are remanded due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for his left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination addressing functional impairment during flare-ups and the impact of the Veteran's symptoms on his ability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has found that the claims of service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and low back disabilities need to be remanded due to new evidence being added by VA. The Veteran will have an opportunity to respond with a waiver or request review by the RO.