Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a dorsal spine disability, degenerative lumbar spine disorder, head injury/traumatic brain injury, memory loss, right ear and eye fluttering, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), cervical spine disability, left leg disorder to include genu varum of the knee, pulmonary disability to include asbestosis, generalized arthritis, right leg disorder to include genu varum of the knee, and migraine headaches have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence showing a direct connection between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in March 2015.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the right knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen his previously denied service connection claims for right and left knee disabilities.,Service connection is now established for a right knee disability, including DJD with complete ACL tears.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for new VA examinations to assess his service-connected tension headaches and left knee disability. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected major depressive disorder, right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues include seeking higher ratings for right knee disability and service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise whether the Veteran suffers from PTSD related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee degenerative joint disease status post arthroscopy and arthrotomy is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, a new VA examination, and further development of the claims file.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and increased rating for low back disability. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions, records, and VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for her left knee disability and surgical scar of the left knee was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent for the left knee disability from January 18, 2008 or an initial compensable rating for the surgical scar.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disabilities and whether he has lateral instability or recurrent subluxation.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings due to inconsistencies in the decision and the need for a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder and right knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing a direct link between the current conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right hand disability and finds in favor of granting service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need for a certification regarding the use of her right knee brace, which tends to wear or tear her clothing. The VAMC will review the record and provide a determination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been granted effective January 8, 2016.

The Board found that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and back disability. The criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as a result of service-connected disabilities have also not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed bilateral foot, knee, and sleep apnea disabilities. The AOJ will also request any relevant records from the 2001 conversation between the Veteran's late wife and her private treatment provider.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability.