Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle tendonitis and arthritis, as well as lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disorders. The acquired psychiatric disorder is not found to be related to his service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and that any current condition is more likely secondary to his work history.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a signed statement from his representative indicating he wishes to withdraw the issues on appeal.

The Board has interpreted the September 2012 correspondence as a motion for reconsideration rather than a claim for CUE, and thus dismissed the appeal of whether there was CUE in the denial of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination of the Veteran's left knee lateral collateral laxity.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed heart disability, and any complaints of chest pain are related to stress rather than a cardiac condition.,The Veteran's subclinical hypothyroidism did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a new opinion on his ability to function in an occupational environment due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his claimed exposure and stressors, as well as to obtain any outstanding VA medical records. The AOJ will also attempt to verify the Veteran's in-service stressor concerning his service on a burial detail while stationed at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, characterized as total knee replacement, right knee, is rated at 60 percent effective October 27, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for TDIU have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, classified as old/chronic Osgood-Schlatter's disease, was incurred in active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a low back disability and knee pain, met the schedular requirements for TDIU as of October 28, 1997. However, due to his other service-connected conditions, he did not meet the combined rating criteria for TDIU prior to August 31, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran had a pre-existing right knee disorder and whether it was aggravated by service. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of this action.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for weighing the probative value of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his service-connected disabilities. The VA examiner's opinions are also found to be inadequate as they did not consider the Veteran's assertions of continuous symptoms since active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and any pertinent medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, headaches, lower back disability, bilateral hip disability as secondary to the lower back disability, neck disability, and left knee disability. The appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal for the claim for entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder should be remanded due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits was denied because he does not have a serious employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities, and the benefits provided under Chapter 31 are not available to him.