Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty to assist error, including the need for VA to obtain SSA records and private treatment records from September 2010 through June 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee, left second toe, and left shoulder conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip strain, but denied service connection for tinnitus, left knee PFPS, and left cheek scar. The decision is remanded for further action on the claim of service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has determined that new evidence was submitted to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for bilateral varicose veins, right knee disability, left-hand broken ring finger disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and insomnia). The claims are being remanded due to a lack of a VA examination or medical opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is granted service connection. The remaining issues of COPD, diabetes, hypertension, left hip condition, right hip condition, and right knee condition are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a right leg circulatory disorder and right leg pain/strain, finding that the evidence did not support these claims. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to his nonservice-connected peripheral vascular disease with osteomyelitis status post above knee amputation.,Service connection was also denied for depression and anxiety, as there is no credible medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the claims for service connection, as there are deficiencies in the current medical opinions and further examination may be necessary.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a duty to assist error in the May 2019 VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee retropatellar pain syndrome is granted an increased disability rating of 10 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,The Veteran's left knee retropatellar pain syndrome with limitation of motion during extension is granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that there is new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran, warranting readjudication of her claims for service connection for migraine headaches and bilateral knee pain. The claims are now remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition and granted service connection for Gulf War illness, manifested by non-allergic, irritant rhinitis. The Veteran's right knee condition is not considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service. For the Gulf War illness claim, the evidence supports that the Veteran has a chronic multi-symptom illness with an unidentified etiology, consistent with Gulf War Syndrome.

The Board denied increased ratings for left knee limitation of extension and flexion, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination in the June 2019 decision, and a new VA medical opinion is required to address whether the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was aggravated by his service-connected right foot disability.

The appeal of the rating for tinnitus is dismissed.,The claim for restoration of the 10 percent evaluation for left knee instability, effective June 24, 2015, is granted.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for right hand and wrist arthritis.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for insomnia and sleeplessness.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including pancreatic disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, low back disorder, bilateral hand and knee disorders, antiphospholipid syndrome, fibromyalgia, obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, and diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including atopic dermatitis, right knee disability, sinusitis, hernia repair scars, and abdominal adhesions, have rendered him unemployable. However, the evidence is contradictory regarding his employability due to these conditions.

A 30 percent rating for left knee DJD status post fracture of the left fibula and tibia is granted, along with a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee. The issues regarding secondary service connection for hip, back, and right knee conditions are also addressed.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, deviated nasal septum, and bilateral knee disability as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and an inadequate addendum opinion. The Veteran's left knee disorder is being reviewed again for service connection.