Knee Board decisions

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to new and relevant VA treatment records submitted by the Veteran. These records were not reviewed as they relate to the Veteran's claims of entitlement to compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right knee disorder, a right hip disorder, a right lower extremity disorder, and a low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinus problems, left ear hearing loss disability, sleep apnea (to include as secondary to bipolar disorder), gout, bilateral knee disabilities, and back disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear NOD and incomplete records. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining private medical records, determining whether ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA periods affect service connection, and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent prior to June 25, 2014 and from June 25, 2014. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent. The left knee patella tendon tear and instability are both rated at 20 percent. The right Achilles tendonitis is rated at 20 percent. The bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent prior to June 25, 2014 and from that date.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the claims as they are no longer relevant.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to right knee and ankle disabilities because of conflicting findings regarding their pre-service status. The Veteran's current right knee and ankle disabilities are presumed sound at the time of entry into active service, and the only issue left is whether they are directly related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% schedular rating, effective as of the date of the decision. The issues regarding right knee and left knee disabilities, cervical spine disability, and TDIU are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative joint disease was granted service connection. The issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus/plantar fasciitis and right foot hallux valgus are remanded, as well as the rating for service-connected bilateral shin splints.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and left lower leg disability are stayed. The claim for a left knee disability is remanded due to need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral elbow disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral hip disability. The claim for sleep disorder is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral knee pain due to lack of a medical nexus.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability and left foot disability, both of which are secondary to his service-connected right Achilles tendonitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for depressive disorder, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues have been returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claim for annual VA clothing allowances due to the use of knee sleeves is denied as his particular model of knee sleeves does not tend to wear and tear clothing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that new evidence was submitted after the October 1996 denial and warrants readjudication of the claim for service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's current claims for service connection for both right and left knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and headaches due to the need for additional VA treatment records, as well as the need for medical nexus opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral knee condition, finding that there was no evidence linking her current disability to her military service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during service and is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran has right knee, ankle, and foot disorders, a right wrist condition (including ganglion cyst and carpal tunnel syndrome), hemorrhoids, a scar on his thigh, and residuals of skin cancer of the left cheek/nose, all related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.