Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA could provide supportive evidence for some of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid claim for service connection for any of the conditions listed, as there is no evidence showing they were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the extent of functional loss during flare-ups and repeated use.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a rating in excess of 10 percent for dry eye syndrome, left eye, and ratings in excess of 20 percent for patellar tendinitis with retropatellar pain syndrome, left knee, and retropatellar pain syndrome, right knee.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his knee disabilities and reopening of a previously denied thoracolumbar spine disorder claim have been dismissed. The TDIU claim has also been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for COPD, inguinal hernia, skin disability, and bilateral knee disability have been dismissed. The claim for a bilateral knee disability has been reopened but remains remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a neck disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and skin disorder. However, the claims of service connection for a pulmonary disorder and a left upper extremity neurological disorder remain denied.,New evidence submitted by the Veteran includes MRI findings supporting his claim for a neck disorder, statements from a private physician linking his knee disorders to in-service activities, and a statement from a private dermatologist linking his skin disorder to Vietnam service. The claims of service connection for these conditions are therefore reopened.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left clavicle or shoulder condition due to new and material evidence. The remaining issues are remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for right knee osteoarthritis as it was not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examination reports and a need for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's representative withdrew all the issues from the notice of disagreement, including entitlement to service connection for a parathyroid tumor, a low back condition, and increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease and right knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with myositis. The VA examiners are requested to provide opinions on whether these conditions are aggravated by the service-connected condition.,The Veteran's claims will be remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected condition and the claimed secondary disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and left knee disorder as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Veteran's complaints were attributed to his service-connected back disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee and right ankle conditions due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination report. The Veteran's pre-existing left knee condition may have been aggravated by military service, but it is unclear if this aggravation was beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for upper back and bilateral knee disabilities are reopened, and the appeal of these issues is granted. The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine if the disabilities had their onset in or are otherwise attributable to the Veteran’s period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current right knee disorders had their onset during service or are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and back disability (secondary to left knee) as all have been found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability is granted as the evidence is at least evenly balanced and reasonable doubt must be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The right knee disability, PTSD, and TDIU issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in functional equivalent loss of use of his feet, which may qualify him for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only benefits.