Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, back, left knee, and right wrist disorders did not have their onset during active duty service or are related to such service. The Veteran's headaches were also not linked to his military service.

The case is REMANDED for the following actions: 1) Advise the Veteran that he may submit any additional medical and non-medical evidence relating to his gout and his left and right knee disorders that is not already in VA's possession. 2) Associate with the record any VA clinical documentation not already of record pertaining to the treatment of the Veteran for gout or for left or right knee disorders. 3) Schedule the Veteran for a VA medical examination to obtain an opinion as to the current nature of his gout and whether he has active disease process. If necessary, schedule additional VA examinations as necessary. The examiner should address the severity of all chronic residuals if the Veteran's gout is not an active disease process. 4) Schedule the Veteran for a VA medical examination to obtain an opinion as to the nature and etiology of his right and left knee disorders. The examiner should address whether the Veteran's left and right knee disorders were aggravated by his gout.

The Board found that the Veteran's Osgood Schlatter's disease preexisted service and was not aggravated by service, thus granting service connection for this condition. The bilateral hand disorder (Dupuytren's contracture) is denied as there is no evidence of its onset in service or within a presumptive period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with an adequate VA examination.

The Board has ordered a remand for the VA examiner to provide an addendum addressing whether the Veteran's current knee disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected residuals of cold injury. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ after this additional development.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a sleep disorder and granted it. The Veteran's headaches have also been found to be incurred in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for additional development of records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is not related to his active duty service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent, as there was no evidence of limitation of flexion to 45 degrees or extension limited to 10 degrees. The current 10 percent rating adequately reflects his symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have its onset in service, and the Board finds that service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is found to be related to his service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral knee disability or right ear hearing loss disability due to lack of evidence showing a link between current disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder, hip, and knee disorders have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues prior to a decision being made by the Board.

Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran's residuals of right knee partial medial and lateral meniscectomy have been rated at 20 percent for dislocated semilunar cartilage with locking, pain, and effusion into the joint. The Board found that this rating is appropriate as it best represents his symptoms throughout the appeal period.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evidentiary development, including up-to-date examinations of his left thumb and left knee.