Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are not related to service, or secondary to his service-connected back disability. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding these issues.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities may be due to a pre-existing condition prior to service, which requires an addendum opinion from an appropriate examiner.

The Veteran's lung disability, chest injury, and left knee disability were denied as there is no evidence of an in-service event or injury pertaining to these conditions.,The Veteran's GERD was remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine its etiology. The Veteran's migraine headaches were also remanded for verification of chemical exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine DDD and arthritis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome with meniscal tear, and left shoulder osteoarthritis. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received since the final denial in December 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle and bilateral knee conditions have worsened, and his hip and thumb disabilities are being evaluated further to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the medical records and lack of clarity regarding the Veteran's left knee range of motion during flare-ups.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus and a bilateral knee disorder. The case is now remanded to determine if VA examinations are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The case is being returned for an addendum VA opinion that considers the evidence of abnormal gait and its relation to the Veteran's left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, knee, hip, and shoulder conditions as well as a low back condition due to insufficient evidence on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete findings regarding secondary service connection and recent assertions from the Veteran's representative. The AOJ is required to obtain an additional VA medical opinion to clarify the etiology of the Veteran's claimed right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship of these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records, including those from his National Guard and Reserve service, and conduct additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for various disabilities as the Veteran's death made it impossible to proceed with the claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and residuals of a right knee injury with arthralgia have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee and leg conditions, including rating determinations for arthritis and instability. The claims are being returned for additional development of vocational rehabilitation records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations, changes in rating criteria, and outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an aneurysm was granted. Service connection is denied for the remaining conditions: emphysema, heart disability, prostate cancer, back disability, bilateral knee disabilities (left and right), and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (right and left).

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's right knee disability based on limitation of motion is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's left knee disability based on limitation of motion is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's rating for chondromalacia of the right knee was reduced from 20 percent to zero percent effective July 1, 2015. The Board has restored the prior 20 percent rating due to procedural errors in reducing the rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder, including left knee tendonitis and patellofemoral pain syndrome. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is remanded.