Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability is not causally or etiologically related to active military service and is not caused or aggravated by service-connected left knee subluxation, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, or bilateral shin splits.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have begun during his active duty service. For both knees, the disability ratings are increased from 10% to 20%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's need for a below the knee amputation of the right leg was at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected superficial peroneal neuropathy, which is a residual of his right femur fracture.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for recurrent subluxation and semilunar cartilage injury and degenerative joint disease of the left knee, except for a 20 percent rating from May 23, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right and left knee disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including to clarify whether the Veteran had arthritis in her knees and to conduct range of motion studies. The appeal is now returned for appellate review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella with right leg pain is related to an injury sustained during active duty for training in November 1992, and grants service connection.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, effective June 7, 2012. The disability has not resulted in ankylosis or recurrent subluxation/lateral instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disorders were not incurred in or related to service, nor may they be presumed to have occurred therein. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of increased evaluation for his knees and reopening of his hypertension claim are pending.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to her relocation and the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, Barrett's esophagus disorder, gastritis, and back disorder are not service-connected. The Board finds that further development is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of GERD which may be related to his in-service exposure to Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their relationship to his military service, as well as to determine the current severity of his service-connected right heel and left hip disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn, and the Board granted service connection for bilateral ankle strain. The right knee arthritis rating remains at 10 percent, prostate cancer is not service connected, and there are no effective dates provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in permanent and total disability that is due to the loss or loss of use of one or both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. The claim for specially adapted housing has been granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for left ear injury and right ear injury. The Veteran's claims for right knee chondromalacia with degenerative changes and chronic sinusitis have been granted as her symptoms are linked to her active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current cervical spine disorder or right knee disorder, and therefore service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations on multiple service-connected disabilities has been withdrawn by the Veteran, and he is currently assigned a noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of issues including service connection for various conditions, reopening of claims, and examination.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for left knee instability and loss of extension have been granted, both currently evaluated at 30 percent.