Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and breathing problems have been remanded due to the need for a medical opinion addressing whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's right knee instability and degenerative arthritis are rated at 10 percent, while the left knee instability is rated at 10 percent. A separate rating of 20 percent for meniscal tear of the left knee has been granted.

The appeal for service connection for hypertension, cerebrovascular accident (stroke), right homonymous hemianopsia (loss of vision due to stroke), and dizziness (residual of stroke) has been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current functional limitations.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current functional limitations.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The Veteran's headaches and right knee disorder are found to be related to service, while the skin disorder is also granted as it was incurred in service. The rating for gout of the bilateral feet remains at 10%.

The Veteran's left knee strain and gastroesophageal reflux disease were remanded for further action due to incomplete records. The decision on the rating for left knee strain is granted with a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a right knee disability was denied as the new evidence did not provide a basis for reopening the claim.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a skin disability was reopened due to the submission of voluminous VA treatment records that established the presence of a current skin disability.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities: increased ratings for recurrent dislocation of the left knee and arthritis due to limitation of extension, as well as an earlier effective date for arthritis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records from OPM regarding the Veteran's 2005 disability retirement from USPS.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left knee disability was rated as 10 percent disabling, the hemorrhoids as 10 percent disabling, and attention disorder with short-term memory loss and cardiovascular disorders were not shown to be related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate examination and treatment records, requiring further evaluation by VA.

The Board denied service connection for right and left hip disorders as well as a left knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee replacements and respiratory disability (emphysema and COPD) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee conditions due to lack of medical nexus opinions addressing his in-service exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current knee disabilities and injuries sustained during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions to separate service-connected from non-service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, COPD and chronic bronchitis, migraine headaches, right elbow disorder, right shoulder disorder, right ear hearing loss, intermittent vertigo, intermittent hand tremors, and intermittent blackouts. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed stressors or a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral lower extremity nerve damage as these conditions are not shown to be related to active duty service. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were also considered but did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not severe enough to require regular aid and attendance, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient medical opinions and the need for additional examination. The issues include right elbow, left knee, and right knee conditions; PTSD; sleep apnea; hypertension; gastrointestinal condition; acid reflux; erectile dysfunction; neuropathy; diabetes mellitus; and heart condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination findings and a need for additional information regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, including flare-ups.