Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on various service-connected conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee DJD, status post partial replacement and a 20 percent rating for pes planus of the left foot. The Veteran's current disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his left knee patellofemoral syndrome and the need to obtain all current VA outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the exception of asthma and TDIU issues. The DDD of the thoracolumbar spine was rated at 20 percent; gastrointestinal disabilities at 10 percent; posttraumatic headaches at 50 percent; right shoulder impingement syndrome at 20 percent; and left knee disorder with medial collateral ligament strain at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's combined disability rating and a single 70% disability rating for his depressive disorder meet the eligibility criteria for TDIU. However, further clarification is needed regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an undiagnosed illness causing multiple muscle pain, to include in the bilateral arms, bilateral legs, and bilateral knees is denied as there is no evidence of an undiagnosed illness. The Board finds that his diagnosed conditions are more likely related to post-service activities rather than service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity of his service-connected left knee disabilities (left knee status post arthroscopic procedure and instability).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities may have pre-existed service and are not related to military service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by her and her representative, resulting in the dismissal of all issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to unavailability of service treatment records and the Veteran's request for a copy of his claims file. The Veteran is entitled to an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current claimed bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's increased ratings claims have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has reopened the claims for residuals of a left knee injury, hemorrhoids, sleep apnea (recharacterized as an acquired psychiatric disorder), and PTSD. However, service connection cannot be established as the Veteran's conditions are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, records review, and further development.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims for service connection of his thoracolumbar, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, tinnitus, and jaw disorder. The Board found that there is no evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain outstanding private treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and left shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her ankle and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records and insufficient medical opinions regarding her left knee and low back disabilities. Additional development is needed, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical inquiry to determine the nature and etiology of his right knee disorders, including whether they are related to service-connected residuals of Arnold Chiari malformation status-post surgical decompression.