Knee Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back or knee disability in service, and the earliest clinical evidence is not for more than four decades after separation from service. The Veteran's statements regarding parachute injuries are inconsistent with contemporaneous STRs. Service connection was denied as there is no showing of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability, peripheral neuropathy in the left lower extremity, and painful scar on the left knee are rated at various levels. The current ratings for these conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot, ankle and knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot pes planus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking the two conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate opinions in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 100% effective September 11, 2017. His eczema is rated as noncompensable since October 25, 2012.,Service connection for acid reflux was denied, and service connection for right hip and knee disorders were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for micromastia residuals, left foot plantar fasciitis, and shin splints of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's low back strain with bulging disc is rated 20 percent disabling from March 22, 2011 to the present. Her initial rating for right knee disability remains at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability as secondary to the Veteran's left knee disability. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acne vulgaris and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection are addressed in the remand portion.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The Board found the September 2016 VA examination inadequate and remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability and grants the claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing all issues on appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand and knee arthritis due to new and material evidence. The Board then found that there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of service connection, granting these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his thoracolumbar spine strain, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right foot arthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 19, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, dermatitis (claimed as skin rash due to herbicide exposure), residuals of left eye strabismus surgery, and both right and left knee osteoarthritis. The appeals were decided on a direct basis without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's neck disability has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. For TDIU, the Veteran does not meet the schedular requirements as his combined disability rating is less than 70%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the issues related to major depressive disorder, TDIU, knee condition, cervical spine condition, shoulder conditions, anxiety, and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of any current psychiatric disorder. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.