Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her inability to attend the scheduled hearing. Her claims for increased evaluations of left and right knee strain are still pending.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current right knee disability, including whether it was aggravated by his second period of service. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current knee disability, including whether it is related to active service. The claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran will also be afforded a VA examination to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a separate and distinct left knee disability from his currently service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss. The claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine strain, right knee strain, and left knee strain are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of the additional evidence received since the last SSOC.

The Board has determined that reducing the Veteran's disability rating for osteochondritis of the right knee from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective December 1, 2013, was not proper based on the evidence showing no actual improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a noncompensable rating prior to March 13, 2009 and a 10 percent rating from May 1, 2009. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted an initial 20 percent rating effective May 7, 2012.

The Veteran's left knee pain and arthritis are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service. The skin tumors and cancer, claimed as due to herbicide exposure, also do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain VA treatment records and afford him a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disability, right knee disability, or right lower extremity disability that is related to his active military service. The evidence does not support granting service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left knee and shoulder conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for ACL tear and DJD, with no compensable rating for limitation of extension. A separate 20 percent rating has been granted for the medial meniscal tear.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate January 2013 VA medical opinion and a need to consider aggravation of a pre-existing condition during reserve service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination. The case will be readjudicated with consideration of whether separate compensable ratings are warranted.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development, including scheduling another VA examination and obtaining any outstanding treatment records.