Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that service connection is not granted for a back disorder as there is no evidence to support its onset during or related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his bilateral knee, shoulder, and neck disabilities due to lack of sufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is also required to provide private treatment records related to these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability resulted in pain, weakness, and swelling. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for left knee instability as of March 27, 2018, but no earlier. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for muscle atrophy of the left knee, Muscle Group XIV, as of March 27, 2018, but no earlier.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of right tibia and fibula fractures, including osteoarthritis and a knee replacement, has been reopened. The Board found that the preexisting injuries were aggravated by service, granting the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to her in-service duties.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is granted, as the evidence shows that his current condition is related to his active duty service. The issue of secondary service connection is moot due to the grant on the direct basis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to inadequate previous examinations. The claims for right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities are being remanded because new opinions are needed. Other claims such as joint pain, cough, GERD, headaches, nerve disability, PTSD with depression, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical examinations. The issues include dental, jaw, right knee, skin, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left knee chondromalacia, but remanded the service connection claim for a left hip disability as new evidence was added to the record.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition and a pulmonary condition including COPD, claiming as chronic cough. The Veteran's left knee arthritis was not shown to be chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, did not manifest to a compensable degree within a presumptive period, and was not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology.,The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary condition including COPD, claiming as chronic cough. The Veteran's current pulmonary condition was diagnosed many years after service and is less likely related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder. The VA examinations provided in response to previous remands did not adequately address the medical opinions submitted by private physicians supporting the Veteran's claims. Additionally, relevant treatment records from Dr. J.M. have not been obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for updated VA examinations to determine the current nature and severity of her service-connected cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development.,Effective date determinations will be addressed separately.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip condition and a bilateral knee condition, finding no current disability in either case. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's left hip replacement, right hip replacement, right knee replacement, and left knee replacement are granted as they were incurred during active service. The claims for left shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis and right shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder was denied in April 2014, but reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a chronic right knee disorder related to his military service.,Service connection was granted for diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic nephropathy and hypertension on October 16, 2014, along with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The effective date is set at October 16, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel spurs. The right knee condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset and relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral foot condition. The claims are being remanded for further development.