Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the evidence does not support a conclusion that arthritis of the back, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, or a bladder/prostate disability are etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining treatment records. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left knee disability based on limitation of motion and instability remain on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus did not permanently increase in severity during service, and there is no current evidence of a knee disability related to service. The claim for bilateral knee disability must be denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not related to a service-connected disability. The compensable rating for residuals of a fractured left fifth metatarsal has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to service.,Service connection was granted for left ear hearing loss as being caused by military noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend scheduled hearings and the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues on appeal include service connection, rating increases, and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to scheduling issues with VA examinations in Spain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and providing the Veteran with a statement of the case on an earlier effective date issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during service or within one year after separation, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the Veteran's remaining claims on appeal can be decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder tendonitis, bilateral thumb arthritis, right hip tendonitis/right SI joint arthritis, and bilateral knee arthritis are related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was granted an initial 10 percent rating prior to April 15, 2010. The issue of whether a higher rating is warranted for the entire appeal period remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities. After review of the evidence, including a June 2016 private medical opinion linking current knee conditions to in-service injuries during active duty, the Board finds that service connection is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for right knee disability. Bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to military noise exposure, while the right knee disability is not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the extent of his left knee disability prior to October 14, 2010. The issue remains on appeal regarding an increased evaluation for left knee chondromalacia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and a back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The Board also found that any current disabilities were not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after appropriate action has been taken.

The Veteran's scars have not been found to be unstable or painful, and thus do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7804. As such, an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee instability is no more than slight, with subjective complaints of instability but objective findings showing inhibition of quadriceps muscle without true ligamentous instability.