Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle and knee disorders are not related to his military service, as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's conditions are more likely due to obesity and long-term occupational activities.

The Board granted an initial rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability, status post knee replacement. The right knee disability claim was remanded and is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alcohol abuse is caused by his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore grants service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee disability and service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of entitlement to these benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuous left knee pain since service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings for left knee disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues of entitlement to service connection have not been addressed.

The Veteran's right knee arthroplasty has been shown to result in pain, swelling, and limited motion. However, the current rating of 30% adequately reflects these symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, as well as the retrieval of VA treatment records.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, heel spurs (bilateral feet), hip disorder (bilateral), and knee disorder (bilateral). The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining records of the Veteran's training and an opinion on whether his right knee symptoms are related to service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for another VA examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders, as the previous examination did not adequately address whether cumulative incidents during service contributed to current conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively result in the permanent loss of use of the bilateral lower extremities, which precludes locomotion without the aid of a cane, scooter, and/or wheelchair. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the AOJ for further development of his claim, including obtaining VA and private treatment records. The Veteran will be provided a supplemental statement of the case if the benefit sought remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and attempting to obtain Fort Sill Army Community Hospital records. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his right knee and lumbar spine disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for patellofemoral dysfunction of the right and left knees, with arthritis, as these conditions are attributable to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for heart disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot disability, and left knee arthritis have been denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disorder and sleep apnea were found to have onset during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability.