Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for various conditions have been denied. The issues of service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding alleged exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals during his time in Okinawa.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including locking, limitation of flexion and extension, is rated at 20 percent prior to December 15, 2015. Since February 1, 2017, the Veteran's postoperative residuals of total left knee replacement are rated at 60 percent.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee injury, finding that there is no current clinical diagnosis of a right knee disability and that any associated pain does not rise to the level of a disability under Saunders v. Wilkie.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder, and stomach disorder. The VA is directed to obtain additional treatment records and provide the Veteran with appropriate examinations to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, specifically during flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's hypertension and left knee disability were denied, but a separate rating for left knee instability was granted. The Veteran's migraine headaches and bilateral foot disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied.,Service connection has not been granted for a sleep disorder, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, or headaches.

The Board dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's previously denied service connection petitions and rating requests, including those for bilateral hearing loss, Grave's disease, diabetes mellitus, left knee injury status post meniscectomy, right knee strain, PTSD, and an earlier effective date for right knee strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right leg disorders, as well as his attempt to reopen a previously denied claim for lower left leg amputation. The decision found that new evidence did not change the previous denial of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's fibromyalgia, which is claimed as a result of exposure to environmental hazards during service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee disability, but has remanded it due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's right knee disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for instability of both knees associated with traumatic arthritis was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for instability of both knees associated with traumatic arthritis was also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for left knee and left hip disabilities, as well as an increased rating for right knee disability. The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee chondromalacia and denied service connection for a cervical spine disability. The decision in favor of the Veteran's claim is based on evidence showing that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated based on instability, flexion limitation, and extension limitation. The current ratings for these conditions have not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain missing VA medical records and arrange for a new VA examination. The issues include rating the knee disabilities, as well as whether the discontinuance of the separate rating for instability of the right knee was proper.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee condition. The right knee condition is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination and determination regarding its etiology.