Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for low back strain and thoracolumbar (low back) disability, as well as right knee disability. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further examination of his left knee disability and headache disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran’s claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and bilateral knee tendonitis. The Veteran's July 2013 VA audiological examination was not adequate, and a new VA audiological examination will be scheduled on remand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD and other conditions, leading the Board to grant a TDIU effective September 19, 2014.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, right knee disability, chronic respiratory disability, and chronic sleep disability due to unresolved medical questions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and migraine headaches have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative joint disease in the left knee is related to an injury he sustained during service, and thus grants service connection for his left knee condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of left knee disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), bilateral pes planus, and asthma. The Veteran's claim is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a right elbow condition and remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for dorsolumbar myositis and residuals of right knee injury, status post arthroscopy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his left knee disability and coronary artery disease, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 30, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issues of right elbow condition and lower back condition are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The bilateral knee condition issue is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection and lack of a confirmed diagnosis for PTSD. The issues include bilateral knee conditions, erectile dysfunction, enlarged prostate, urinary function issue, and an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, sinusitis, right and left knee disabilities, and a psychiatric disorder, are found to be sufficient for the Board to grant a TDIU due to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus to service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability, heart disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type 2 as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee conditions, diabetes mellitus, and COPD due to herbicide exposure in Guam. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's right knee, left knee and right shoulder disorders have been granted a 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for his left varicocele with residual scar has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the right knee, finding that it is related to a fall during combat in Vietnam. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current DJD is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not develop during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The preponderance of evidence is against finding any current disability as being incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's notice of disagreement for an increased disability rating for left knee residuals was not timely. The issues regarding initial compensable ratings for right knee DJD with limitation of flexion and extension, as well as a clarification on whether the Veteran has any separately compensable meniscal condition related to his service-connected right knee, are REMANDED.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, right elbow, low back, and chest disabilities have not been adequately evaluated based on recent medical evidence. The claims are being remanded to schedule the Veteran for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his conditions.