Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left ear hearing loss, right fifth (little) finger disability, poor vision, low back and right knee disabilities, sleep apnea, allergies, heart rhythm, and hypertension. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations for these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee conditions, including strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome and chondromalacia, instability, and scar, have been granted effective from July 6, 2012. The issues of remanding for rating actions are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, upper back, and neck disorders due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or in-service events.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of right knee injury, and residuals of right ankle injury. The claims were not reopened as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his stomach condition, sleep disorder, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left lower extremity shin splints disability, and right lower extremity shin splints disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during service and has continued since then. Service connection for this condition is granted.,VA examination did not find hearing loss in either ear at the time of the January 2017 VA examination, but the Veteran reported worsening symptoms since that time. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if current hearing loss disability exists and its etiology.,The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, bilateral knee conditions (left and right), left hand condition, and left shoulder condition are all remanded as the January 2017 VA examiner did not provide opinions regarding their direct relationship to service. A new VA examination is required for these claims.,The Veteran's left ankle condition and right ankle condition are both remanded as a new VA examination is needed to determine if current bilateral ankle conditions exist and their etiology.,The Veteran's balance impairment is also remanded as no opinion has been provided regarding its relationship to service. A new VA examination is required for this claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral kidney disability has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded several other issues including skin, low back, psychiatric, headache, eye, hearing loss, tinnitus, carpal tunnel syndrome, hip, knee, and foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation and service connection due to inadequate examination reports, particularly regarding left knee laxity with arthritis. The AOJ is instructed to schedule new examinations and obtain a medical opinion on both knees.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition and colon cancer have been granted. The claim for service connection for a left knee condition has been withdrawn, and the issue of entitlement to increased rating for mechanical low back syndrome with arthritis is remanded. The issues of service connection for colon cancer are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected right and left knee disabilities require additional development, including a new examination to assess the current severity of her conditions.

The Veteran's tendonitis, knee disorder, and hip disorder are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology. His prostate cancer rating is also being remanded for a current examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee condition as secondary to the Veteran's right knee condition, based on evidence that the Veteran's left knee pain was caused by overcompensating due to his right knee issues.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of residuals of decompression sickness and a right knee disability due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to any decision being made.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, left shoulder joint separation, and knee chondromalacia have all been rated as per the current criteria without meeting the requirements for higher ratings.,Higher ratings are not warranted due to lack of evidence showing respiratory failure or tracheostomy required for a 100% rating for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's reported symptoms and history.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic associated pain and increased ratings for left knee injury torn ligaments and subluxation of patella were dismissed.,A separate rating of 10 percent but no higher, for a left knee meniscectomy on and after January 19, 2016, was granted. The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was denied.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a distended bladder was also dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee condition, which is believed to be related to reserve service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's exposure to herbicide agents, asbestos, or PCBs during service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities are inextricably intertwined with the issue of exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee pain, rhinitis, and migraine condition due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.