Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded both issues related to the Veteran's knees due to inadequate examination findings and the passage of time since previous examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability, needs further review and is therefore remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The left knee disability claim is remanded due to lack of VA treatment records and incomplete medical history.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities, as well as his TDIU claim prior to June 16, 2015.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, arthritis of the right hand, right knee, and right shoulder, and a skin disorder of the extremities was granted. Service connection is established for these conditions due to exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board denied all increased rating claims for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for any of the disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for service connection and rating for various disabilities. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being examined again due to the lack of recent VA treatment records and inadequate examination in 2011. A new peripheral vestibular disorder (vertigo) claim is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and for increased ratings for left knee disorders, as well as an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to provide information about his medical history since separation from service.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability because no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding its relation to in-service events. The Veteran's right lumbar radiculopathy was granted, but imaging shows severe osteoarthritis of the right knee joint.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for bilateral medial compartment degenerative changes of the knees from July 1, 2012 to October 17, 2017.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left knee and left hip disabilities, as secondary to a claimed left knee disability. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is proximately due to or the direct result of his service-connected knee and back disabilities, thus granting service connection for depression.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The decision addresses increased disability ratings for various knee disabilities, service connection claims, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, hearing loss, and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as his conditions are not directly related to his military service.

The Board denied increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees, finding that the evidence did not show flexion limited to 60 degrees or extension limited to 5 degrees in either knee.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee arthritis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to outstanding records not being obtained. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service, including exposure at Camp Lejeune. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, tinnitus, and liver disorder due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year after service that could be linked to the Veteran's active duty.