Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's death pension and accrued benefits appeals were dismissed as the Appellant withdrew her claims. The DIC claim was remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities due to outstanding VA examinations. The Veteran was not provided with proper notification of scheduled examinations, and he failed to appear for them.

The Veteran's right homonymous hemianopsia is granted a 50% rating, effective September 23, 2015. The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether a left knee disorder, diagnosed as chronic left knee strain to ACL with effusion, sprain, and chondromalacia, is related to an injury sustained in service. As such, the criteria for service connection are met.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities were not shown to be related to service, but did not find sufficient continuity of symptoms or evidence linking them to service. The rating reduction for the right ankle disability was improper as due process was not followed.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and he did not establish entitlement to service connection or compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his bilateral knee disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, and he is granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is granted service connection based on chronic symptoms in and since service.,A supplemental VA medical opinion will be obtained to address the current status of a meniscal tear diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, and it is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a current left knee disability during or within one year after service, and the March 2011 VA examiner opined that there is no nexus between any such disability and active duty service.,Similarly, the Board determined that there was no current right knee disability during or within one year after service, and the March 2011 VA examiner concluded that there is no nexus between any such disability and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including for a VA examination regarding his hypertension.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including DJD and degenerative arthritis, are related to his active service due to continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran has consistently reported experiencing chronic knee pain during and since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck, right leg, and right knee conditions are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed the case due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right knee disorder. The issues include evaluating bipolar disorder, service connection for a right knee disorder, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disorder did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty, including an acute left knee sprain that resolved without residuals.