Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected right knee and right shoulder disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative joint disease of the right knee was denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable, while his right knee degenerative joint disease was initially rated as noncompensable but later increased to 10 percent effective September 23, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further action, including a decision on the appellant's request for substitution.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a right knee disability related to his military service and therefore, denies the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and found that the Veteran's right knee joint pain is related to service. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service connected lumbar spine strain remains pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased rating claims for lumbar spine disability and left knee disability, prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any diagnosed right knee or shin condition, as the previous examination was inadequate. The Veteran's service treatment records indicate an incident in which he struck his shin while climbing a ladder off ship in Antarctica, but there is insufficient evidence linking this injury to his current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his right knee disabilities and reopening of his back disability claim are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis, status post total arthroplasty, is related to his active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The case is REMANDED to obtain SSA records, VA treatment records, and an opinion regarding whether any current left knee disability arose in service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claims for a bilateral shoulder condition and left knee condition have been denied as there is insufficient evidence of in-service injury or treatment.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression has been denied as there is insufficient evidence of in-service injury or treatment.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, low back disability, bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder as they were not incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee strain with chondromalacia and scars warrants a 20 percent disability rating since October 30, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to other non-service connected conditions contributing to his disability picture.

The Veteran's claim for various equipment purchases/home modifications under the vocational rehabilitation independent living plan is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and updated independent living assessment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an increased rating for PTSD with alcohol dependence. The claim of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a rash on the neck, and the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are not related to service. The Board also found that the Veteran's urethral lesions are likely due to HPV contracted during service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to functional loss and normal range of motion.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted as there is an approximate balance of negative and positive evidence regarding its relationship to service. Service connection for a back disability has also been granted based on an approximate balance of negative and positive evidence.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a head injury was not addressed in the decision, but it is presumed that service connection was granted as well due to the nature of the other claims.