Knee Board decisions

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues involving increased ratings for right ankle sprain, herpes simplex and atopic dermatitis, duodenal bulb ulcers and reflux esophagitis prior to February 6, 2015, tinea pedis, and the appeals to reopen claims of service connection for low back pain, phimosis, right knee disorder, chest pain, and anemia.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn as to the issues of increased ratings for right knee instability, lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, right knee degenerative joint disease with limitation of flexion, and right knee degenerative joint disease with limitation of extension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board videoconference hearing. The issues include seeking higher ratings for low back strain, service connection for PTSD and migraines, left knee disability, and residuals of wrist fracture.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, identify any relevant private treatment records, and schedule him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations and a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder caused his bilateral knee disorders, and he is granted service connection for these conditions. His generalized anxiety disorder is rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.

The Veteran's service-connected left leg disabilities result in loss of use of the left lower extremity due to residuals of an injury which so affects the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of a cane.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and left knee disability (chondromalacia) are both found to have originated during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities, specifically whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 30 percent since April 1993. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee chronic tendonitis was denied. The RO granted a 40% rating effective December 10, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to outstanding records from his military service. The VA is instructed to obtain morning reports, after action reports or casualty reports for the period of January to March 1970, as well as any hospitalization records from Cam Ranh Bay.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability and other disabilities. The issue of a TDIU will also be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address certain medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right total knee replacement, status-post right knee chondromalacia with synovitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right knee disorders are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after his military service, nor can a direct link be established between his current conditions and his service.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchiectasis due to her service-connected asthma and COPD. The Veteran's other claims have been denied.

The Veteran's headaches were rated as noncompensable, but the Board found that her symptoms most closely approximated a 30 percent rating due to characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month. The Veteran's left knee disability was denied an initial compensable rating prior to January 19, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for VA examinations to assess the etiology of any arthritis, low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities.