Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow such employment due to his age and the nature of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been rendered moot due to the complete grant of benefits sought on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of his claimed conditions, and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's pre-existing left knee disorder was aggravated by service, resulting in the need for a total left knee arthroplasty. The Board finds that service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his right knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing new evidence.

The Veteran's right thigh scars are not rated compensable, but his service connection for a right knee disability is granted. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current right knee condition was incurred during active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete evidence and need for addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination by an orthopedist to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after service separation. The VA opinions provided were against a nexus between current disabilities and active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to search for and obtain service treatment records, as well as any private medical records that may support the Veteran's claims. The Veteran was not fully advised of his right to submit evidence from alternative sources.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition, including during periods of flare-ups or after repetitive use over time.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right knee disability. The Board has determined that an examination is necessary to determine whether the Veteran suffers from such a disability as a result of his service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle, knee, shoulder (left and right), and low back disorders as secondary to his service-connected right ankle and right knee disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion, and a separate 10 percent evaluation is granted for limitation of extension. No higher evaluations are warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and radiculopathies of both lower extremities, result from a common etiology. The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, and right knee disorder were not shown to be related to service.,There is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation from service for any of the conditions.