Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his left knee disability was satisfied by the issuance of a June 2014 rating decision granting him a 60 percent evaluation, effective throughout the entire appeal period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a right knee disability, including as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left total knee replacement is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and granted it. The Veteran was diagnosed with right knee chondromalacia patella, which is considered an early manifestation of degenerative joint disease (arthritis). Service connection is granted as direct service connection due to current diagnoses.

The Board has determined that further development is required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current wrist, knee, and low back disorders. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, and there is no evidence of arthritis within one year following discharge. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and right fifth metacarpal fracture residuals do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip, right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected seizure disorder.,The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's arthritis is a natural progression of aging rather than related to his use of Tegretol for his seizures.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of her claims, including a TDIU claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the claim of service connection for right knee disability cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran does not have a current left knee disability, and his PTSD is currently rated as appropriate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, as well as his right hip condition, have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and medical opinion are inadequate, and thus a remand is necessary to afford the Veteran another VA examination in order to obtain an adequate examination and medical opinion regarding his bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left hand numbness, and cervical spine disabilities did not have onset during service or are not caused by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO increased his back disability rating to 20 percent effective October 3, 2011. The Veteran was not granted any other benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an addendum medical opinion from an orthopedist regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the inextricability of the right knee disabilities claim with other pending claims, and will be handled in an expeditious manner.