Knee Board decisions

Service connection was granted for a disability manifested by shortness of breath and sleep apnea, but not for Meniere's disease. The Veteran's right knee arthritis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, which the VA examiner concluded was less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss, dizziness (vertigo), lung condition, cold weather injury residuals, and arthritis of hands, knees, feet, ankles, and hips are not related to his active service. Service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for postoperative residuals of a right knee disorder with traumatic arthritis and limitation of flexion of the right knee was denied. The Board found that the flexion limitation did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities, nature and etiology of any low back and bilateral hip disabilities, and whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran's left ankle sprain and right knee disorder are related to service. Therefore, both conditions have been granted as service-connected.

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

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 1, 2015, and in excess of 30 percent since that date is denied. The issue of increased ratings for the right knee disability is pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of all issues, including the increased disability rating for cervical strain and service connection claims. The Board has dismissed these issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional examination to determine the extent of her service-connected disabilities' impact on her employability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his bilateral knee, right hip and back disorders as secondary to a service-connected left femur fracture. The VA examinations found no evidence linking these conditions to military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding service treatment records and personnel records, which need to be obtained for a new medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance for 2014 due to use of a back brace related to his service-connected low back disability. However, he is denied a clothing allowance for the left knee brace as it does not relate to any service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is not clear and unmistakable, as there are insufficient medical records to determine if his back brace and knee braces cause wear and tear on his clothes or if prescribed topical medications cause irreparable damage. The case is being remanded for further examination and evidence collection.

The case is being remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining treatment records from January 1996 through March 2001 at the Detroit VA Medical Center.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headaches and bilateral knee disability are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The other claims of service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and completion of forms related to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, including arthritis and instability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 11, 2012.