Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a supplemental opinion is needed to address continuity of symptoms.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left knee and lumbar spine, but denied both claims as there is no evidence showing a direct link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection due to his request to withdraw the appeal.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including the post-operative scar, is rated at 20 percent since January 1, 2016. This rating is in line with her current symptoms and examination findings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability and an update on his unemployment status.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a sleep disorder other than sleep apnea, left knee condition, and rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain. The Veteran's appeal is currently pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence and the need for further examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to deficiencies in previous VA examinations and missing medical records.

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

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for left ankle arthritis, left knee arthritis, DDD/DJD of the thoracolumbar spine, or DJD of the cervical spine. The Veteran's STRs do not contain any records indicating these conditions during his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee with dystrophic calcification and instability of the right knee are both denied initial compensable ratings. The healed right tibia/fibula fracture is also denied an initial compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and adjudication due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, respiratory disability, right elbow disability, left leg shin splints, and right leg shin splints as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee disabilities, back disability, and left hip disability. The issues have also been remanded for a jaw disability claim.

The Veteran's asthma with bronchitis claim is denied as the evidence does not show that her FEV-1 or FEV-1/FVC levels meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder, manifested by pain, is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for a left knee condition and a right knee condition are granted as secondary to service-connected hallux rigidus of the right great toe and right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his period of service, and therefore, service connection for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left upper extremity neuropathy. Service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy is not warranted.,For the period prior to May 29, 2018, the Veteran's left elbow disability manifested in arthritis with normal range of motion and no pain on examination. A noncompensable rating is appropriate from that time. From May 29, 2018, a 10 percent rating is appropriate for limitation of flexion.,For the period prior to May 29, 2018, the Veteran's left elbow disability manifested in arthritis with normal range of motion and no pain on examination. A noncompensable rating is appropriate from that time. From May 29, 2018, a noncompensable rating is appropriate for limitation of extension.,Service connection for arthritis (claimed as gout) is remanded.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded.,Service connection for residuals of TBI is remanded.,Service connection for headache is remanded.,Service connection for a vision disability is remanded.,Service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.,Service connection for a right knee disability is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea are granted service connection. The left knee disability is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion and incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left leg below-the-knee amputation surgery, alleging that he contracted MRSA from another patient while rehabilitating at St. Cloud VAMC following a December 2013 surgery on his left leg.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral great toe disability, bilateral knee disability, scars, lumbar spine disability, and heart condition have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened and granted.