Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions and examinations are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, and left ankle strain are at least as likely as not caused by his active service.,For the reasons stated above, the claims for service connection for these disabilities are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for residuals of a left knee injury, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and ankle disabilities were rated at 10 percent effective May 23, 2008. The Board found that the increase in disability was not ascertainable prior to this date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for his service connection claims for right and left knee disabilities, but did not assign specific ratings or effective dates as these were not addressed in the decision.

The Board finds that the issues of whether severance of service connection for PTSD was proper, and entitlement to service connection for various disabilities are currently before it as they are inextricably intertwined with the appellate issues of the effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD and the initial rating assigned for PTSD. The Veteran's period of honorable active service has already been finally adjudicated.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for additional disability resulting from a total right hip arthroplasty performed in January 2004, including neurological residuals (including foot drop), leg length discrepancy, and a right knee condition. The case has been remanded to obtain the informed consent form signed by the Veteran prior to the surgery, request updated VA treatment records, and schedule an examination with a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a complete record of treatment from the VA facility in Miami and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his left knee disorder, right ear hearing loss, and left ankle disability. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues of service connection for various foot, back, right hip, and left knee disabilities are under review.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been rated based on instability, cartilage 'locking', pain, joint effusion, and limitation of flexion. The ratings are granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU related to his right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left knee arthritis and concluded that his current left knee disability is not related to service or his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be decided, and has therefore remanded the case to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and providing an adequate examination of his right knee disability. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being considered.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected bilateral pes planus and right ankle condition, granting service connection for this disability.

The Board has ordered a new examination to address the Veteran's right knee disability and its relationship to service, including his service-connected hammertoes of the feet. The case is also remanded for obtaining updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inextricably intertwined issues and new examinations are required.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities in July 2014, finding that the evidence did not support a link between current knee conditions and service.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the issue has been fully granted by a subsequent rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability is being remanded due to incomplete development, including the need for STRs from January 1986 to January 1989 and records from Dr. Albert Greisman since fall 1990.