Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's right knee disability is alleged to have caused or aggravated his claimed disabilities, including lumbar spine, cervical spine, left hip, right hip, and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, left hip, and low back disabilities due to a June 1971 injury during National Guard service. Additional medical opinions are needed if service connection is granted for the right knee.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sciatic pain, low back disability, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) based on the evidence showing these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are denied as the evidence is inconclusive regarding whether they are separate from his service-connected mental health condition. The tension headache condition is granted on a direct basis, while the left foot conditions (bilateral flat feet) and right knee condition are denied due to pre-existing status.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle, left knee (status post total knee replacement), right knee, and vertigo disorders. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown as chronic in service or related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection was also denied for fatigue due to lack of a diagnosis.

The Veteran's partial right knee replacement and associated instability were granted a 100% rating from February 11, 2009 to February 10, 2010. The appeals for higher ratings prior to this period are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a bad conduct discharge, finding that his entire period of active service is a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not rise to the level needed for such benefits.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee arthritis disability from October 31, 2008 to December 24, 2012 was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is denied, and the initial rating higher than 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining new evidence to support service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for his right knee meniscal tear are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding no probative evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee disability has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew the appeal before any decision was made.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities do not prevent him from finding and maintaining gainful employment, as he has the physical capacity to perform sedentary work.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent or separate compensable ratings for left knee strain is denied. The clinical reports show that the Veteran's left knee flexion and extension are within the limits required for a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's right ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities are granted service connection. The case is remanded for further examination regarding a right hip disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of left wrist disorder and right knee disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for determining the severity of the Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome.