Knee Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination results and additional development is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PFS of the left knee was denied. The initial noncompensable rating prior to May 10, 2016 and the subsequent denial of a rating in excess of 10 percent since that date were upheld.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected conditions have been denied. The current ratings of 10 percent are maintained.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and development of records, including those from POH Clinic in Pontiac, Michigan.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability did not manifest in service or within the first post-service year, nor is it otherwise related to service. The Board also determined that the current right knee disability was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected left knee or thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran had PTSD as a result of his military service and was rated at 50% for his right knee disability. The need for aid and attendance or housebound status is unknown due to the pending SMC claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to service or his service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral elbow disability, back disability, bilateral knee disability, chest pain, lower extremity numbness, headaches, and insomnia. The decision concluded that these disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right and left hip disabilities, as well as his bilateral knee disability, did not manifest in service or within the first post-service year. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions. Service connection on a secondary basis is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of his knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated treatment records, particularly regarding his left knee.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the low back and right knee disabilities before a decision was made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bladder outlet obstruction and left knee, spine, and neurological disabilities of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 21, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, including whether it is related to service-connected stress fracture of the right femur or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA's remand instructions have not been fully addressed, and thus the case is being returned to the AOJ for further development and adjudication.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and skin disability. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for further action due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected pes planus aggravated his back and knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia are secondary to his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis, low back strain, and bilateral pes planus. As a result, the appeal is granted.