Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee arthritis and lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease. However, the claims are denied as there is no competent medical evidence establishing a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing additional opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for the claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, and right knee disability have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing its decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new VA examination to assess the severity of his knee, ankle, and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA examination results for the Veteran's right ankle and knee disabilities, as well as any relevant private treatment records. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to submit or authorize VA to obtain these records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have sleep apnea and denied his claim for service connection. The increased rating claims for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities are also being denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder were not incurred in or caused by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis, left knee instability, and right knee arthritis have been rated as separate disabilities since January 8, 2015.,Effective from November 28, 2016, the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for his left knee instability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disorders (DJD and patellofemoral syndrome) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability. However, a rating in excess of 20 percent for DJD of the lumbar spine, L4-L5, is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to deficiencies in the Board's analysis, particularly regarding his claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and sleep apnea. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including residuals of right knee arthroscopic release with chronic synovitis, symptomatic patellar chondromalacia, chronic tendinitis, and possible meniscal tear, has been manifested by knee pain, weakness, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, effusion, popping, crepitus, and painful and limited knee motion. The Veteran's right knee instability/subluxation is slight.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is not related to his service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back, left ankle, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not show a current disability or any nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected back and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected back, left knee, and kidney disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the obtaining of updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to report for a scheduled hearing and lack of procedural documentation regarding the denial of VR&E benefits. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the previously denied claims of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, a bilateral knee disorder, depression, hernia and vertigo. The appeal was dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been granted. The remaining claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.