Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the Veteran's active duty service as an airborne infantryman caused his current conditions.

The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear residuals, osteoarthritis and recurrent patellar dislocations are granted as secondary to his service-connected left ankle fracture residuals. A rating of 20 percent for lumbar disc disease since June 10, 2015 is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee and back disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in entitlement to TDIU. The Board denied extraschedular evaluations for DJD of the right and left knees as the rating schedule adequately describes his disability level.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain with degenerative arthritis and bursitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot strain, fifth metatarsophalangeal joint condition, is rated at 10 percent prior to March 18, 2016, and from May 1, 2016. The Veteran’s service-connected left hamstring tendonitis with left knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent since April 6, 2011. The Veteran's right knee strain with limitation of flexion and hamstring tendonitis is also rated at 10 percent since April 26, 2011.,The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left foot strain, left hamstring tendonitis with left knee strain, and right knee strain with instability and hamstring tendonitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected multiple sclerosis disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for back and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development, including a new VA examination to evaluate the current level of severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of migraine headaches, GERD, and left knee disabilities are being remanded.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for new examinations to determine if there is a current disability related to service and whether any such disabilities are caused by service.

The Board has denied service connection for psoriasis, back pain, bilateral knee strain, and a respiratory disability as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to active duty.,There is no competent medical evidence linking any of the Veteran's claimed disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected mental health disorder. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied due to lack of in-service onset or continuity, and no nexus to service has been established.

The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 1, 2011 but not earlier. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran and finds that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding whether current right shoulder and knee disabilities are related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection on a direct basis have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions in a previous VA examination, and additional development is needed including obtaining treatment records and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's left knee condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has found that the Veteran missed scheduled examinations for his claimed conditions and has ordered them to be rescheduled. The claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the shoulders, spine, hips, knees, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral knee disability due to additional evidence obtained during the appeal process. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is related to exposure to jet fuel as a weapons mechanic, while his knee disability may be linked to an injury sustained in National Guard service.

The previously denied claims for lower back, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee disorders are reopened. The claim for gastrointestinal disorder is also reopened. However, the claims for a left wrist disorder remain pending as they need further examination and opinion.