Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the cause of his condition, including whether it is related to service-connected left knee disability or preexisting conditions. The examiner will also need to address whether the current condition is at least as likely as not caused by disease or injury in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and granted it. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination. The issues on appeal are service connection for left knee disorder, right foot disorder, and eye disorder.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left knee sprain and instability have been granted, but he is seeking earlier effective dates. The case must be remanded to obtain updated VAMC records and for the RO to consider the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of her medical records. The issues include service connection for knee and hip disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as residuals of Achilles injuries. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for traumatic arthritis, left knee meniscectomy is denied as the evidence does not support more than the current 10 percent disability rating.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids is denied as there is no evidence of large or thrombotic hemorrhoids with persistent bleeding and secondary anemia.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiners and need for additional evidence, including treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new examinations and additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right-knee meniscus tear and chondroplasty are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The surgery was for a non-service connected disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service treatment records and providing an examination to determine if his current disabilities are related to contaminated water at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station or anthrax vaccinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 5, 2013 and in excess of 60 percent since January 1, 2015 for right knee disability and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 2, 2011 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for left knee disability.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the left knee post-arthroplasty, finding that the symptoms did not warrant a higher than 30 percent rating. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His back disability is rated at 40 percent, his sleep disorder was not found to be related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition, and his bilateral knee disorder was also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, and he is granted a higher rating for his total left knee arthroplasty with degenerative joint disease.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, depression, and a skin disorder. The appeals for left ankle, bilateral knee, and right leg radiculopathy disorders are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran was granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability is denied as a matter of law due to the Veteran's failure to report to the scheduled examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations and TDIU prior to September 6, 2016 was granted. The decision also addressed the separate evaluation of right foot hallux valgus and extraschedular consideration for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs.

The Board found that there was no objective evidence of instability or subluxation in the knees prior to March 24, 2014. As a result, the Veteran's claims for separate initial compensable evaluations for right and left knee disabilities due to instability were denied.