Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for back pain, left leg pain, right leg pain, a left knee condition, and a right knee condition. Service connection was also denied for left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of instability and arthritis in his left knee, finding that the April 2001 rating decision was final.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck (cervical spine) condition and an initial compensable rating for his left knee disability.,The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran’s current cervical spine or left knee conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities, including of the bilateral feet, knees, hips, lumbar spine, and chronic joint pain, as well as peripheral neuropathy. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of current disability in any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee strain with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and testing.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination in September 2011, and a new examination is needed to determine if there is a relationship between the right knee disorder during service and current treatment.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions and to address his reports of flare-ups. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disorder and his service-connected left ankle chronic sprain status post Brostrom reconstruction, as well as other relevant factors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an increased level of SMC based on need for higher level of aid and attendance.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left knee disability, including meniscus tear and degenerative joint disease, is also granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right knee arthritis, right ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, and left epididymal cyst were not granted initial compensable ratings. The service-connected obstructive sleep apnea was granted a rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome and mild instability are rated at 10% each, while her total replacement arthroplasty is denied. The case for the right ankle fracture remains pending.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by the current medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims by the Veteran during his November 2018 Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for IHD and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for IHD prior to November 3, 2011 or from November 3, 2011 to November 12, 2013, and that he was not entitled to a TDIU prior to November 3, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and origin of her low back, right knee, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as incomplete vocational rehabilitation folders. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations for her lumbar spine and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee and solar urticaria.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for right knee disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II were inadequate as they did not provide opinions on whether these conditions are aggravated by service-connected left knee disorder, hypothyroidism, respectively. The cases are being remanded to obtain further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury or disease related to his current conditions.