Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of her right and left knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion from an orthopedic specialist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability and the current severity of his left knee disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded pending this development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip conditions due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during or as a result of her active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's right knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms and examination findings.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the cases of left ankle and left knee disorders due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has found that there has been substantial compliance with its remand instructions and is now remanding the claims for increased ratings for left knee disability based on limitation of extension, flexion, and instability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of service connection claims, specifically regarding a right knee condition and lung cancer. The right knee claim is denied due to lack of evidence linking the current disability to service-connected left knee issues. For the lung cancer claim, additional information about exposure to depleted uranium must be obtained before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as GERD with hiatal hernia, gastritis, colon polyp and diverticulosis, was granted effective May 14, 2013. The Veteran appealed the assigned ratings.,An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound basis is denied as he does not have any disability rated at 100 percent disabling, including a single disability on which total disability rating (TDIU) may be based.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right hip, and psychiatric disorders (including PTSD) due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, bilateral ankle conditions as there is no competent evidence of a current disability at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his active duty or are otherwise related to his military service.

Service connection is granted for arthritis, right knee. Service connection for skin disorder (to include as residuals of a cold weather injury) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for a right rib fracture, service connection for hearing loss, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, a right hip disability, and left hip disability have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for neck, right ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and incomplete evidence. The left knee, TBI, and narcolepsy cases require additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inconsistencies in the VA examination and changes in rating criteria. The Veteran's left knee disabilities, including chronic infra-patellar tendonitis and a left knee disability with instability, are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for left knee disorder and lower back disorder.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle and left knee disabilities, as the VA examinations conducted did not include both weight bearing and non-weight bearing range of motion assessments. The case is therefore being remanded to obtain these evaluations.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection on appeal must be remanded due to a lack of VA examinations and development. The claims include bilateral hearing loss, bilateral foot disorder, left shoulder disorder, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (initially claimed as anxiety and/or depression), left eye disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and cervical spine disorder.