Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased compensation for his left knee disability, as well as the separate ratings for instability and scar associated with the left knee disability, have been granted. The effective date of these decisions is March 10, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine, left hip, and right knee disabilities are proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the Houston RO. The issues of service connection for depression, unspecified hip pain, and a right knee condition are still pending.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for hearing loss, chest pain, left and right knee disabilities, and PTSD. The evidence received since the June 2007 rating decision is new and material as it relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability with lateral instability and degenerative joint disease of the left knee prior to August 20, 2014 were denied as there was no evidence of more than slight instability or significant arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, right arm and headache/dizziness disabilities, back and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's bilateral hip, hand, and elbow disabilities are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral knee and low back disabilities, as they are not related to his active duty or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are related to service due to continuous symptoms since separation from active duty.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to or caused by her service-connected right hip and low back disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during his period of service, and he is granted service connection.,For both the right and left knee chondromalacia disabilities, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or instability.

The Board denied service connection for tonsil, thyroid, neck, low back, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or the in-service events. The Veteran's current disorders are considered age-related and unrelated to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and therefore, he cannot be granted service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to a prior inadequate examination and instructed that a new VA examination should be conducted. The Veteran's current left knee disability is being evaluated for its relationship to his active service.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability related to service for the claimed right elbow disorder. The Veteran's statements regarding his right elbow injury are not supported by medical evidence and thus do not establish a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding a right knee disability incurred or aggravated during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in 1994.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis was denied as the evidence did not show severe recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is proximately due to his service-connected right ankle disability. The claims for service connection for a right wrist and right knee disabilities are granted as secondary to their respective service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and need for clarification on the nature and etiology of any current left knee disorder, including whether it is proximately due or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for his service-connected knee disabilities and the claim for service connection for a low back disability are being remanded for further development.