Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection is denied for hypertension as there is no competent medical evidence showing a link between current hypertension and service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, as it is unclear whether his current condition is directly related to his military service or if it is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The decision also notes that there are gaps in the record regarding the Veteran's Reserve service and civilian occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination, and a new one must be conducted.

The Board has dismissed the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right mandibular fracture, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right hand disability, and service connection for a left shoulder disability due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim for a TDIU is also REMANDED as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating issue.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since October 7, 2009. The Board denied an increased rating for both knees as the current disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to the need for additional development, specifically obtaining an outstanding medical record from Tyndall Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for right knee limitation of flexion or extension, as her range of motion was within functional limits.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives and failure to address an alternative theory of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his in-service fall and its impact on his current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cardiomegaly, hypertension, a left thumb contusion, and a right knee disability due to VA's failure to obtain the Veteran's complete Social Security Administration records and to determine whether an examination is required in light of potentially favorable evidence in his available service treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding secondary service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The Veteran seeks service connection for his knees, which he claims were injured in service and are related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right knee chondromalacia (patellofemoral syndrome) as they are related to the Veteran's military service. The claim of entitlement to service connection for status post cholecystectomy, claimed as gallstones is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing its onset in or relation to her military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's left ankle disability may have preexisted his active duty service, but a VA examination is needed to determine if it was aggravated during that time. For the left knee disability, a new VA examination is required as the Board relied on an inadequate one in its decision.

The Veteran was granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD for the entire period on appeal.,A TDIU was also granted prior to March 9, 2017. The issue of a TDIU beginning March 9, 2017 is dismissed as the Veteran has been in receipt of a schedular 100 percent rating since that date.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee degenerative joint disease and instability remains denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia but has remanded the issue of determining the right knee disability's etiology and whether it is aggravated by fibromyalgia.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for sleep apnea, gout, and bilateral knee disability. The decision on the issue of service connection for sinus problems is remanded.

The Veteran's varicose veins are not service-connected, and his right knee condition is rated at 30 percent from May 2, 2016 to December 10, 2017. His left hip degenerative joint disease is also rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his right and left total knee replacements, as well as his bilateral hearing loss, are denied. The current ratings of 30 percent for each knee and 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss are upheld.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran needs new evaluations for her left knee and left ankle disorders.