Knee Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations in several cases, including right knee disability, eczema, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD prior to April 25, 2017. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI is related to his in-service parachute accident, and service connection for this condition is granted. Other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for heart valve, left knee, and cervical spine conditions were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's right wrist, ankle and knee disabilities, as well as his GERD. The issues of service connection for left knee and ankle disabilities have also been remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right knee conditions and residual scars. These include increased disability ratings for right knee anterior instability, right knee ruptured ACL with degenerative joint disease, and a compensable rating for residual scars from arthroscopy of the right knee.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for joint pain as due to an undiagnosed illness is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been found to be related to his period of active duty, and he is entitled to service connection for these disorders.

The Veteran's thoracic spine, left shoulder, left knee, left ankle, right ankle/foot, eye, stomach, leg numbness, and heart disabilities are not service-connected. The psychiatric disability is also not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a current disability. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) and right knee disability is denied.,Service connection for hypertension cannot be established due to lack of nexus between the condition and service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and right knee disability are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inclusion of VA treatment records dated between February and August 2017 in the claims file. The case will be readjudicated, with all relevant evidence considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee strain is related to his in-service injuries and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it had its onset during his active duty. The issues of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle ganglion cyst, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, and headaches have been granted. The Veteran is also assigned a 10% disability rating for his headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left hamstring injury, and an emotional distress and depression (psychiatric disorder). The claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee was reopened but not granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's right leg and foot, right hip, and right knee disabilities are related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 14, 2013 for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus were denied. The claim for service connection for a left knee disorder was granted based on service aggravation. The low back disorder claim is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.