Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied in previous rating decisions. The Board found that the effective date of November 28, 2012 is proper based on the application of the facts to the applicable laws and regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, endometriosis, and asthma are not related to her military service.,The Veteran was diagnosed with a right knee injury in-service but subsequent VA examinations have found no link between her current disabilities and her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of left shoulder strain, right knee sprain, and left ankle sprain due to insufficient information regarding the nature and etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is also asked to provide any additional private treatment records related to his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. Effective date issues have also been addressed.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance in 2013 was denied because the prescribed medication (Clobetasol ointment) did not cause damage to his clothing, and there is no provision for damage resulting from the disability itself.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his claims for service connection for a right knee disability and skin disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation of his left knee disability was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for TDIU and extraschedular TDIU due to the complexity of the issues.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the lack of records from the Veteran's period of active service from January 1971 to December 1973. The VA must attempt to obtain these records and provide a formal finding if they cannot be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, skin disorder involving the feet, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to new evidence received since the last denial of these claims.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding hypertension, migraines, short term memory loss, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for actinic keratosis. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) was granted with a 30% rating.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate, and thus remanding for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current back disorder is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for DJD, left knee, due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected disabilities and a need for further development of records.

The Board denied service connection and increased rating claims for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current ankle or knee conditions were related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for spurring of the left tibial apophysis (left knee) is granted, with a current effective date of December 3, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his knee flare-ups and functional loss during such episodes. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran’s bilateral knee disabilities, taking into account these complaints.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability and its relationship to his service-connected conditions. The claim for service connection will be further evaluated after obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for right knee surgery ACL reconstruction, bilateral knee condition, left shoulder injury, right shoulder injury, and lower back injury are being remanded as the VA examiner is needed to provide an opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of left knee joint osteoarthritis is not related to her military service.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for left knee osteoarthritis from June 13, 2006 to March 3, 2011 is being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being remanded as it is intertwined with the increased initial evaluation issue.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals on all issues, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, neuropathy, and left knee disability. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.