Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee and left shoulder conditions have been granted, with specific ratings assigned. The highest rating of 30 percent has been awarded for the DJD component of his left knee condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder, low back, and left knee disabilities are not related to his active duty service.,There is no current evidence of a hip disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis of multiple joints, are not service-connected. The right ankle condition is service-connected due to in-service trauma, but other joint conditions are not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA treatment in 1999 was denied, and his TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has restored a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee disability, effective from when it was previously in effect.

The Board has ordered a remand to provide the Veteran with a VA examination, as he is currently incarcerated and unable to be transported over state lines for an in-person examination. The claims will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the conditions are not related to his active duty service or any in-service exposure. The Board found that the peripheral vascular disease, including DVT, was caused by Factor V Leiden deficiency and not due to sodium dichromate exposure. Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia were also not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, right hip, and right ankle disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is currently in remand status due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and a new medical opinion from the June 2016 examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and to obtain an opinion addressing whether the Veteran's current low back, right knee, and left foot disabilities are related to her service or any other relevant factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee DJD, finding that there is no competent evidence linking the disability directly or indirectly to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to assess his right knee disorder and abdominis rectus muscle condition.

The Veteran's left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome and degenerative joint disease have been rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent each, based on moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint from April 7, 2010. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5258.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and left knee disability are service-connected, with no specific rating assigned.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating for left knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative changes from October 12, 2009, to May 19, 2014.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to incomplete factual premises in the prior medical opinions. The AOJ must arrange for an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his right knee disability, as well as any secondary service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting examinations to evaluate the Veteran's knee and ear disabilities. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right knee condition. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder, left knee, and left elbow disabilities are not related to his active duty service.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.