Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further evidentiary development, including obtaining VA treatment records from North Texas Healthcare System and ensuring all pertinent treatment records are associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as status post total knee arthroplasty for degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 60 percent due to severe painful motion or weakness.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional action, including requesting National Guard service treatment and personnel records from any appropriate sources.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his right leg and right knee disabilities, finding that there was no new evidence to reopen the case or establish a current disability related to active duty.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of his claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, back disability, and right ankle disability is being remanded due to issues related to obtaining medical examinations and opinions. The VA will need to obtain records from SSA and schedule appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of active, chronic Lyme disease warranting a 100% rating and denied an increased rating for patellofemoral syndrome of both knees.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining missing documents and VA treatment records, as well as SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if he suffers from current bilateral arm, knee, lumbar spine, hepatitis C, and skin conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. Service connection claims for various conditions are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is proximately due to or caused by his service-connected knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of evidence related to the veteran's right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee conditions have been rated at the maximum available rating of 10 percent, and no higher ratings are warranted based on the evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Board videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions remain unresolved.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, to include degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, is not related to his period of service. The VA examiners concluded that the diagnosed DDD and DJD were less likely than not related to service.

The Board has remanded this case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome. The Veteran is requested to undergo an appropriate VA joints examination.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is found to be related to service-connected arthritis. The Board also finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, granting his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment and personnel records for the Appellant's Army Reserve service. The claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the Veteran's right knee disability and left knee service connection claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent for his right knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on functional loss or instability.