Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board partially granted the Veteran's Motion to Vacate, vacating the portion of the February 26, 2019 decision that denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, thoracolumbar or cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus. The Board partially denied the Motion to Vacate regarding the claims granted by the February 26, 2019 decision.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for left knee, right knee, left hip, right hip, left foot, and right foot disabilities. The Veteran also had her PTSD rating increased but is seeking a higher initial rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee injury, patella tendinitis, and right hamstring injury. Service connection was also granted for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure. The appeal is remanded for a new examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disability, but denied the claim itself as there is no evidence that the current condition is related to service or service-connected right knee.

The Board has denied increased disability ratings for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, finding that they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Veteran's bilateral shin splints and back disorder are granted service connection. The right knee, left knee, right leg/ankle, and left leg/ankle disorders are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, including her private treatment records and an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were caused by or related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that more recent VA examinations are needed due to the Veteran's testimony suggesting his disabilities have worsened since the last VA examinations. Additionally, new examination reports which comply with the Court’s rulings in Correia and Sharp must be completed on remand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, left knee, right knee, and back disabilities have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for the Veteran's thoracolumbar back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder and arthritis, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for skin cancer and remanded the cases of bilateral knee disability, hypertension, and recurrent chronic amebic dysentery due to lack of current evidence or inadequate examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability, including instability and specific findings regarding pain on range of motion testing.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee DJD and left knee traumatic arthritis are each rated at 10 percent, with no higher ratings granted. The residuals of a left knee injury with relaxation of ligaments also remain at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome, finding that it likely had its onset during his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability prior to July 14, 2015 and for a rating in excess of 30 percent post-total knee replacement. The issues are inextricably intertwined with TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature and etiology of his back disorder, left knee condition, and hamstring tendonitis. The current ratings assigned for PTSD, left knee, and hamstring tendonitis are not supported by the evidence.

The Board dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims due to non-compliance with previous remand directives regarding the examination of the Veteran's knee and ankle disorders. The AOJ is required to obtain a VA examination that complies with the Board’s instruction, including assessing functional ability during flares or repetitive use.