Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic left shoulder disability, chronic left knee disability, and chronic right knee disability have been granted. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and chronic adjustment disorder) is being remanded.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran's chronic left shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities as a result of his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder secondary to his right knee disability, as well as his increased ratings and TDIU claim. Additional development is needed including obtaining medical records, scheduling examinations, and providing rationale for opinions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the nature and cause of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, low back disability, bilateral knee disability, respiratory disorder (scar tissue of the lungs), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left knee scars and pilonidal cystectomy scar is granted, while the claim for a compensable rating for his right hand fifth metacarpal fracture remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disabilities and TDIU due to inadequate examination reports, lack of information on employment status, and potential need for additional testing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a stroke, right hand disorder, and right knee disorder are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder due to exposure to asbestos, radiation, and other chemicals remains pending. The Board has remanded this issue.

The Veteran's bilateral loss of strength in her knees and foot contractures are not considered to be due to VA carelessness, negligence, or fault. Therefore, the claim for disability compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating in excess of 30 percent for history of heat stroke was denied due to the frequency and severity of his headaches not meeting the criteria for a higher rating. The right knee and left knee disorders were also denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability present in service or within one year after service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have continuity of symptomatology with respect to his claimed condition and that the current left knee disability is not otherwise related to an injury or disease in service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. The claims for left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disorders are remanded as additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, residuals of torn hamstrings, and residuals of cold weather injuries. The claim for PTSD was remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and his service. The claim will be further developed with a new medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient notice of a rating decision and for additional development regarding his bilateral knee, ankle disabilities, seizure disorder, and hernia.

The Veteran's left knee scars, status-post surgery, are manifested by no more than four painful scars; however, one scar also results in mild incomplete paralysis of the common peroneal nerve. A single initial rating of 20 percent for these scars is granted.,A separate initial 10 percent rating for scar numbness (affecting the common peroneal nerve) status-post left knee surgery is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities have been reopened. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the claims.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including for right and left elbow disabilities, back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, pancreas disability, lung disability, and bladder cancer and residuals. The appeals are pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder due to in-service parachute jumps. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis as they are related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for back, right knee, and left ankle disabilities due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellar subluxation are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each, effective August 5, 2017. The RO has been instructed to change the current diagnostic codes from 5260 (right) and 5257 (left) to 5257 for both knees.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is rated as 10 percent disabling effective August 5, 2017. The RO has been instructed to evaluate the disability under Diagnostic Code 5003.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee and leg disabilities due to outstanding service treatment records, including those from the Appellant's active duty with the Florida Army National Guard. The AOJ must obtain these records and schedule a VA examination to determine if any current disabilities are related to his military service.