Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent VA examination and updated treatment records, as well as the possibility that the Veteran's right knee disability may have worsened since the last examination in 2013. The Veteran is also asked to provide any private treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting further examinations.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by limitation of flexion and extension, was rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5260 for limitation of leg flexion. The claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his left ankle disability, as well as his claim for a TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's left knee disability is not service connected, and his right knee disability does not cause or aggravate his left knee disability.,The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU as of April 16, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic low back pain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder and right knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected disability. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right or left knee disability related to his service and therefore, denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 100% since August 16, 2007. As a result, the issue of entitlement to TDIU is rendered moot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical records and provide informed opinions regarding his left knee arthritis, hypertension, and potential service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right ankle disability. Additionally, new medical opinions are needed to assess whether his claimed low back disability, left ankle disability, bilateral hip disabilities, and bilateral knee disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings in regard to his service-connected back, right shoulder, and left knee disabilities is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that has not yet been reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to incomplete information and need for clarification of the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in August 2015 did not fully satisfy the requirements of Correia v. McDonald and Sharp v. Shulkin, and thus a remand is necessary to provide a full assessment of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral knee or bilateral shoulder disability, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his combat experiences in service and the benefit of doubt has been applied, granting service connection for PTSD. The left knee increased rating claim will be remanded due to lack of Correia compliant examination. The right knee and lumbar spine claims are also remanded as there were no proximate cause opinions provided.