Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues include reopening and granting service connection for vision changes, lumbar spine disability, neuropathy of upper extremities, arthritis of hands, bilateral knee disability, bilateral calf condition, and memory problems.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of a VA examination addressing his knee and back disabilities, as well as an inadequate medical opinion regarding his low back disability. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities are denied as there is no current diagnosis or objective evidence to support the presence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination that includes range of motion testing as per Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease are related to service, including as secondary to his right knee condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right lower leg, thigh, knee, ankle, and back disorders are not related to his active military service or caused by his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his left leg disability is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development, including obtaining dates of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) with the New Jersey National Guard. The Veteran's representative was also given an opportunity to review the claims file.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities, specifically his residuals of right knee ligament strain and degenerative changes of the right knee, are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that these ratings do not meet or exceed the criteria for a higher rating based on instability or limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and reviewing all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left knee degenerative changes with synovial chondromatosis has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing. The claims of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for bilateral hand arthritis and bilateral knee arthritis will be addressed after the hearing.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knees are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. His claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities are also being remanded as he has not been provided with a VA examination in over six years.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports from the VA. The RO must obtain private treatment records, secure VA treatment records, and provide the Veteran with a new orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left knee disorder incurred during service or due to a service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's current left knee condition is considered to be related to an injury sustained at work in 1999.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only is denied as he does not meet the requirements of this program due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been manifested by flexion limited to at worst 40 degrees, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine if his bilateral knee and foot disorders are related to service.