Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee strain, arthritis, and right shoulder status post right rotator cuff repair with degenerative changes. The Board finds that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and development of his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is not warranted. The Veteran currently receives a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5257 (for instability) and an additional 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5259 (for symptomatic residuals of semilunar cartilage removal).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions provided in a previous VA examination. The Veteran is required to undergo additional examinations and obtain any outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.,Both knees are currently rated at 10 percent disabling, and there is no evidence of ankylosis, malunion of the tibia and fibula, or dislocation of the semilunar cartilage.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including right shoulder, back, neck, right knee, and left knee disabilities, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service. The claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

Service connection was granted for left knee osteoarthritis, status post total knee replacement with an effective date of June 14, 2005.,Service connection was granted for degenerative arthritis of the left elbow and wrist associated with residuals of an injury to the left forearm with effective dates of June 13, 2012.,Service connection was granted for neuralgia of the radial nerve and median nerve associated with residuals of an injury to the left forearm with effective dates of June 14, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the left knee joint have been rated as 20 percent disabling for instability, but his flexion and extension limitations do not warrant higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, leg cramps, and a bilateral leg disability. The decision found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-service existence for leg cramps and that the right knee meniscus tear and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease were not related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee disabilities. The lumbar spine and right lower extremity neurological disabilities are not found to be related to service or due to service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and medical inquiry, including obtaining SSA records, prison records, and VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability and osteoarthritis of the left knee are not related to her military service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability. The claims for bilateral hip and knee disorders are denied as there is no evidence of record supporting their development during ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of her right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities.

New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, which may now be considered on its merits.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and granted service connection for right and left knee chondromalacia. The evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to a finding that the Veteran's current knee disorders began during service.

The Veteran's daughter submitted a claim for accrued benefits within one year of his death, and the Board granted these benefits despite it being filed after the one-year deadline.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disability, back disability, or joint disability (other than as due to an undiagnosed illness) during service. The Veteran's tinnitus began after service and is not linked to military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to inadequate statement of reasons or bases in the April 2015 decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability. The case will also be reviewed to determine if he qualifies for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.