Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's Graves' Disease, acute bronchitis, and bilateral kneecap dislocations are remanded for further development. Specifically, the AOJ is required to contact all likely sources that may contain information of the Veteran’s claimed exposure to radiation and complete a dose estimate if necessary. The AOJ must also arrange for an examination by an endocrinologist to determine the etiology of Graves' Disease and whether it was incurred during service or due to exposure to fumes from burning oil wells or ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for leukemia has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis/bone spurs and tinea pedis.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, left shoulder disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and sarcoidosis of the right lower lip. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors for PTSD, lack of VA examinations for other disabilities, and need for additional development related to exposure to asbestos.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, as well as his back disability, all secondary to a service-connected bilateral ankle disorder.,There is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service. The VA examiners have opined that the current diagnoses are more likely due to age and obesity.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities as there was no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board has granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's residuals of trauma, right knee, with arthrotomy and excisional medial meniscus prior to July 2, 2013.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for a bilateral knee condition, back condition, and headaches. The claim for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current evidence of hearing loss meeting VA criteria. The claim for left ear hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including tendinitis and osteoarthritis, began during his last period of active service.,His right hand and left hand disabilities are presumed to have existed prior to service. The right hand disability was aggravated by service, while the left hand disability did not undergo an increase in severity during service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is presumed to have existed prior to service and began during his last period of active service.,His right knee disability, including tendinitis and osteoarthritis, preexisted service but was aggravated by service. The left ear status post tympanoplasty disability began during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the low back has been reopened, while his claims for left knee sepsis and bilateral hand disorder have been remanded. The effective date for a 50% rating for limited extension of the left knee remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain due to a need for further development. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current ankle and/or knee disabilities are causally related to active service.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for painful extension from June 14, 2017. The case is remanded to determine if service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to diabetes mellitus can be established.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for his service connection claims due to lack of timely appeals.

The Board has determined that the current VA examinations of record are inadequate for evaluating the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and requires a new examination to assess loss of range of motion during flare-ups, active and passive motions in weight-bearing and non-weight bearing positions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and a right leg muscle disorder, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's current disabilities are being reviewed, but no specific rating or effective date is provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and left great toe disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent prior to August 13, 2012 and 20 percent thereafter. His lumbar strain (low back disability) does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A 10 percent rating has been granted for right knee instability since October 22, 2002. The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied claims for service connection for arthritis of the right knee and a bilateral leg condition to include loss of feeling, tingling, and numbness associated with DDD of the thoracic spine. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for service-connected DDD of the thoracic spine was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings for left knee, right ankle, and left ankle osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.