Knee Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder, left knee strain, right knee strain, and lumbosacral strain with trace retrolisthesis at L3, L4, and L4-5 and segmental instability (low back disability) as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused or contributed to her current hypertension.,There is no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, knee disabilities, pes planus, or cardiac disability that could be attributed to active service.,The Veteran does not have and has not been diagnosed as having a heart condition due to her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle tendonitis and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of a previous VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee condition. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities based on evidence showing these conditions are related to the Veteran's period of active duty.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the possibility that his service-connected disabilities, especially depression, may have caused or affected his unemployment. The increased rating for depression disorder with anxiety (now claimed to include a dental condition) associated with right-knee degenerative joint disease and other conditions is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, left eye cataract, and diabetic retinopathy of left eye due to insufficient development.

Your appeal has been remanded to the AOJ for additional development and consideration of your service connection claims. You are required to provide information about any healthcare providers who have treated you, and all outstanding VA medical records must be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his left knee disability, right knee disability, and back disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for right knee pain, left knee pain, and neck pain as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's active military service.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and the in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in denying service connection for a left knee condition and because of new evidence that may support the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his knee disabilities, low back disability, or sciatica.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete or improper medical opinions in previous examinations. The claims are being returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for left and right knee strains have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for the right knee disability, but denied for the left elbow disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee medial meniscal tear (claimed as secondary to left patellofemoral pain syndrome), and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left patellofemoral pain syndrome due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder condition and a right knee condition, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee disability, and headaches due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's sinus headaches are being remanded for further evaluation. The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis, status post septoplasty, and denied higher ratings. TDIU is granted beginning April 6, 2012.

The Board has identified a pre-decisional duty to assist error and will remand the left knee and left ankle service connection claims for further development.