Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for residual appendix scar and left knee disability. The Veteran's claim of service connection for left knee disability is remanded, as well as his claims for service connection for circumcision residual scar.

The Veteran's right shoulder, back, dermatitis, right ankle, and left upper leg disabilities have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the right shoulder disability is established based on in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology. Service connection for the back disability is established due to in-service lifting duties resulting in chronic strain and functional overload. Dermatitis is linked to Gulf War exposure. Right ankle and left upper leg disabilities are secondary to service-connected foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran will need new examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD, OSA, and a right knee condition due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The RO is instructed to obtain updated VA and private treatment records, confirm periods of active duty service, and schedule examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder, left hip, and neck conditions due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.,Service connection is also not granted for a low back condition, left knee condition, or right shoulder condition as there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee and/or lumbar spine disabilities. The case will be reviewed again with a full discussion of the medical principles involved.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on hearing loss, tinnitus, and reopening the left knee claim before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is etiologically related to active service, including as due to an in-service injury. Service connection for medial and lateral meniscal tears with laxity of anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, cervical spine disability, left wrist sprain, left ankle disability, musculoskeletal strain (claimed as costochondritis Tietze's syndrome), otitis media, right ear, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to new evidence of ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is reopened, and the Board remands the case to determine if his back condition is aggravated by his service-connected knee disability. The case also remains in remand status for consideration of an increased rating for chondromalacia of the left knee.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of new evidence, including VA treatment records and recent VA examinations. The issues of an increased rating for right knee disability and a TDIU prior to December 26, 2018 are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of his feet, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of one or both feet.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder as these conditions did not manifest during the Veteran's period of active duty or within one year thereafter and are not otherwise related to such service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are due to his in-service parachute jumps.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of pseudofolliculitis barbae, and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish service connection for bilateral knee disability due to lack of clear and unmistakable pre-service existence and no aggravation during service. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, due to insufficient evidence. The remaining service connection claims for a right knee disability and cardiomyopathy are denied.

The Veteran's request to reopen her finally denied claim for service connection for a back condition was denied. Her claims for service connection for skin condition and bilateral knee condition were granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting left knee condition was aggravated by his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to September 28, 2015, was not productive of actual or functional flexion limited to 30 degrees. The Veteran is currently assigned a 10 percent evaluation for his service-connected right knee partial arthroplasty with degenerative joint disease with patella sprains.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral knee disorder, finding that it clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.