Knee Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for allergies and denied claims for service connection for liver disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), a right knee disability, and a left knee disability. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, clinical peripheral radiculopathy of the upper extremities, osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision also remanded several issues related to his right wrist disability.

The Veteran's increased ratings for right and left knee instability are denied.,Increased ratings of 20 percent each for meniscus tear in the right and left knees are granted, effective from November 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for the low back disability claimed as secondary to the right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities, as well as other issues. The Veteran's left knee and left ankle disabilities are not found to be directly related to her active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for respiratory disorder, plantar fasciitis of the right foot, and right knee disability due to service. The issues of new and material evidence for these conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, right knee pain, and left knee pain due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee disorder, and sleep apnea have been reopened. The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder due to new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the current left knee disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right knee scar needs to be reassessed due to recent evidence suggesting worsening symptoms, and updated medical records are needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of private treatment records for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current extent of his disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease, increased ratings for inactive left tibia osteomyelitis and residuals of left tibia and fibula fractures with marked knee disability, and an increase in rating for left ankle degenerative arthritis. The evidence did not support a finding of active or recurrent osteomyelitis of the left tibia within the applicable claim period.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to indications of worsening in the Veteran's service-connected back disability and right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis, GERD, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Right knee arthritis is presumed to have been incurred in service due to a chronic condition manifesting within one year of separation from active duty. GERD is found to be related to service based on continuity of symptoms since service. Bilateral hearing loss is not considered as the Veteran does not currently have a diagnosed disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder, including a meniscal tear, is service-connected as it was incurred during his active duty at the United States Naval Academy in 1989.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection can be adjudicated on the merits. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a hearing loss and tinnitus examination, and scheduling a lumbar spine examination.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's claimed service in the U.S. Marine Corps cannot be verified and therefore, the claim for service connection is being remanded to request verification from the U.S. Department of the Navy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for further development, including a new VA examination and medical opinion. The issues include evaluations in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee degenerative changes, and left knee degenerative changes.