Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 1, 2015.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination for his left knee condition and issuance of a statement of the case regarding the issue of clear and unmistakable error in the July 2012 rating decision.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome has been rated by the RO, but a new examination is needed to assess its current severity and determine if an increased rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service, including as secondary to his service-connected low back strain and osteoarthritis of the bilateral knee. The claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral knee disability, back disability, and psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability was manifested by objective removal of semilunar cartilage and subjective pain, limited motion, and instability. The Board granted a compensable initial rating for residuals of right knee surgery and awarded special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance effective October 31, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been reopened, but the Board is unable to decide whether he is entitled to service connection due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to issues with the examination reports, including a need for an updated VA examination. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder is related to his service or service-connected pes planus, and whether it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's right knee and sleep disorder claims have been denied as service connection is not established for these conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain clarification on whether the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability aggravated his bilateral knee disability. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Veteran's current right knee disability is found to have begun during and continued since his active duty service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact, is cumulative and redundant of evidence previously of record, and does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating any claim. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the current condition is related to service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions including a head injury, arthritis of the back, left hip, and left knee, as well as a left leg disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of these claims.,The Veteran seeks service connection for arthritis in his back, left hip, and left knee. The Board finds that an examination is necessary to determine if any current arthritis is related to active service or a motor vehicle accident during service.,The Veteran contends that he has diverticulosis as a result of the October 1966 motor vehicle accident. The Board notes that there is insufficient evidence to determine whether his current diverticulosis is related to service, and an examination is necessary for this determination.,The Veteran asserts that he has residuals of a hard impact to the chest and side during service which resulted in diverticulosis. The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if any current diverticulosis is related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular requirement for assignment of a TDIU and are reasonably shown to render him unable to secure and follow a substantial gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right knee disability resulted in limitation of extension prior to July 20, 2013. The Board found insufficient evidence to support a higher rating for this condition.,From July 20, 2013 onwards, the Veteran's right knee disability manifested as limited extension and instability. The Board determined that his current ratings were appropriate.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, but the claims are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records not having been obtained.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by active service, with no aggravation of a pre-existing condition during service. The acquired psychiatric disability claim is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has reopened the claims for right knee and right hip disabilities due to new evidence, but denied service connection as these conditions are not shown to be related to service-connected left knee disability.