Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his right knee disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is not related to his military service, but granted service connection for tinnitus as it was likely caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's left knee disability was characterized by removal of semilunar cartilage, at least 10 degrees extension with pain, and at least 92 degrees flexion with pain prior to March 4, 2013. From May 1, 2014, the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability was not incurred in or related to active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining his service records and addressing his right knee disability claim. The Veteran is responsible for providing any missing treatment records from Birmingham Sports Medicine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the likelihood of aggravation of his pre-existing left hip disability during service and for any necessary secondary service connection determinations.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and the appellant B.A.P.S. could not be recognized as the surviving spouse due to her prior legal marriage to the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, manifested by normal extension and flexion with no lateral instability or ankylosis, does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent since October 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions have caused or aggravated his gouty arthritis.

The Board has determined that the current 30 percent evaluation adequately reflects the Veteran's left knee disability during the relevant period, and thus denied his claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent since October 1, 2011, for a left total knee arthroplasty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate rationale in a previous opinion regarding aggravation of his right knee disorder by his service-connected left knee disability. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of dates of service and a new examination to determine if any left knee disability had its onset during ACDUTRA or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed hand, ankle, and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and requires additional development, including a new VA examination for his right knee disability. His TDIU claim remains part of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board hearing at the appropriate RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a respiratory disorder (including bronchitis and COPD), residuals of a right thigh/hip injury, residuals of a left thumb injury, malaria, a right foot or ankle disability, a left knee disability, and a right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of moderate or severe right knee instability, and there is no objective medical evidence of ankylosis, impairment of the tibia or fibula, or genu recurvatum.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease with low back strain, right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion, and right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of extension. The evidence did not support granting higher disability ratings.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left knee disorder that he contends is secondary to his service-connected right knee, low back, and bilateral ankle disabilities. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities caused or aggravated the claimed left knee disorder.