Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for syncope, recurrent dislocation of left shoulder, and right knee condition as the evidence did not establish a relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, low back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right ankle disorder have been granted. The appeals are based on direct evidence of a link between the conditions and military service.

The Veteran's left and right knee osteoarthritis have been rated based on limitation of motion, with a 10 percent rating for each knee due to flexion limited to at most 45 degrees and extension limited to at most 10 degrees. The Veteran also has recurrent lateral instability in both knees, warranting a separate 20 percent rating for each knee under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for updated VA examinations that comply with recent court decisions regarding musculoskeletal examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for sarcoidosis, fatigue, and a right knee disability. Additional development is required including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and found new and material evidence to support this claim. However, it denied service connection on a direct basis.,Service connection was also denied for degenerative arthritis of both knees and heart condition.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Halifax Health Medical Center on February 23, 2013 are approved due to the urgency of his symptoms and the unavailability of VA treatment facilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disabilities. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction after completion of this development.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities require the use of knee braces that cause damage to his outer garments, and he is entitled to an annual clothing allowance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of major depressive disorder was granted effective November 12, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and awarded a TDIU from April 20, 2014.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain outstanding VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations for her claimed disabilities. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed low back, right knee, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are related to his service due to combat exposure. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of extension. The Veteran's left wrist tendinitis is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not related to his military service, including the incident in which he jammed his knees into the dashboard of a truck after it tripped a mine. The preponderance of evidence shows no link between these conditions and his time in active duty.

The Veteran's TBI, right upper extremity neuropathy, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities are all found to be related to his service.,His right knee disorder is also found to be related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for macular degeneration, hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability have been denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities, finding that there was no relationship between these conditions and his service-connected back disability or active duty service.

The Veteran's service records do not show any treatment for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, or foot disorders during his active duty. The Board finds no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's service records do not show any treatment for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, or foot disorders during his active duty. The Board finds no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and left knee medial collateral ligament sprain have been rated based on their respective service-connected status. The rating for the right knee post-replacement is in excess of 30 percent, while the rating for the left knee pre-replacement is in excess of 20 percent.