Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The decision is based on evidence showing that the left knee disability was aggravated by the right knee disability during service.

The reduction of the PTSD rating from 100% to 50% is granted, effective February 1, 2016. The Veteran's sleep apnea and right knee strain are rated as they were before. TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are also granted.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with painful motion and instability are rated at 10 percent each, effective June 23, 2017. The Veteran is granted a 30 percent rating for his left knee instability since June 23, 2017. A separate compensable rating for neurological dysfunction of the left wrist is remanded. TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examinations and missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected back injury and left knee disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of previous VA examinations.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of OSA, including whether his service-connected disabilities cause or aggravate OSA and whether obesity is a substantial factor in causing OSA.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, left knee, right hip, and bilateral shoulder disabilities as they are not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Service connection for chest problems due to asbestos exposure has been remanded, as the claim is not clear on its face.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new evidence showing current back disability related to in-service activities. Service connection was denied for right knee, left knee, and neck disabilities as no chronic symptoms were present during or shortly after service. The psychiatric disability is not considered secondary to the service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that this rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board determined that a higher rating was not warranted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The claims for upper extremity and knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities, finding that there is relative equipoise in whether the right knee disability was caused by the left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the medical opinions provided are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing new examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection of left hip, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities can be adjudicated. The claims are remanded to determine if the Veteran has a current disability related to her in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure to obtain VA medical opinions and updated treatment records. The Veteran is also required to provide any outstanding pertinent records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for shin splints and an increased rating for right knee limitation of extension were both denied. The denial on the shin splints claim is final, as no new and material evidence was received within one year of the August 2004 decision. The right knee disability claim remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, particularly whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for heart disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are remanded due to incomplete military personnel and service treatment records. The appellant is also advised that any outstanding VA and private treatment records should be obtained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her depressive disorder and right knee disability, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected disabilities.