Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology and development of the condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), low back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right foot pes planus, left foot pes planus, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis are all granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), a lumbosacral spine disability, and right and left knee disabilities due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Drs. F.B., R.T., and J.S. as well as verify the USS Standley's operations within twelve nautical miles of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's knee conditions and allergies. The first issue is about service connection for right and left knee conditions, which includes a request for an opinion on whether these conditions are related to in-service events or diseases. The second issue is about service connection for allergies/chronic non-allergic rhinitis, also requiring an opinion on the etiology of this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service exostosis surgery.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted as service-connected, while his left ankle disorder is denied. Tinnitus was also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previous final decisions. The Board also found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) or special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip and knee disabilities, including as secondary to a bilateral foot condition. The appeals are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to new evidence added by VA. The Veteran's issues were last considered in April 2019, and additional records need to be reviewed.

Service connection is granted for a throat condition, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right knee disability, and hemorrhoids.,A 40 percent disability rating for low back disability prior to June 22, 2017 was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, heart disease, and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology and current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to his incarceration at a corrections facility preventing him from appearing for VA examinations. The Veteran must be located and given another opportunity to appear for an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder rotator cuff tear with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of range of motion assessment during a period of repetitive use.

The Board has remanded the claims for traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety condition, severe headaches, left foot condition, right foot condition, intervertebral disk syndrome (claimed as low back problems), left hip problems, and right knee condition due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type two, hypertension, and renal disease are granted service connection. His bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is also granted service connection. The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndromes have been granted increased ratings.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, back disability, and left knee disability due to the lack of evidence showing an etiological relationship between these disabilities and service. The Veteran's claims were not reopened as new and material evidence was not presented.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic right knee and low back disorders have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to the need for additional evidence, including private treatment records and VA examination reports.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is rated at 30 percent since December 1, 2015. The rating reflects the severity of his symptoms as described in his medical records.