Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back, bilateral ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from the February 2015 VA examiner and ensuring that all requested development is completed. The claims will be readjudicated after this.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left knee or low back disability during the period of his claim, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable in September 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not attributable to disease or injury sustained during his period of service and did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating. The claim was denied as there was no evidence linking the current disability to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and left shoulder disorders were not incurred or aggravated during his military service, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition present at separation from service. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not report any symptoms related to these conditions until many years after service.

The Veteran's left TKR is rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for ankylosis of the knee. The right TKR remains rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's heart condition, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, and gynecological disorder. The issues on appeal are related to whether these conditions are service-connected.

The Veteran's left knee removal of semilunar cartilage was rated at 20 percent prior to October 30, 2014. A separate 10 percent rating for instability under DC 5257 is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and effective date earlier than March 10, 2006 for service connection of left knee strain, right knee strain, and lumbar strain. The effective date remains March 10, 2006.

The Veteran's right hip disability, including osteoarthritis and total right hip arthroplasty with residuals, is found to be service-connected. The Board also granted service connection for left hip, back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities as secondary to the right hip disability.

The Board has determined that further examination and development are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and ankle disorders, as well as his claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's upper and lower back disorders, left knee disorder, right hip and left hip disorders as secondary to his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease. The effective date is August 25, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, and therefore, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disability, including as secondary to service-connected right total knee arthroplasty associated with lateral meniscal tear of the right knee with degenerative arthritis (right knee disability).,Service connection is granted for a left knee disability as secondary to service-connected right knee disability.,Service connection is also granted for a left hip disability as secondary to service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee is at least as likely as not etiologically related to his service-connected left knee disability, and he has also been granted service connection for Hodgkin's disease due to exposure to hazardous chemicals in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a hearing before the Board at his local office. The claims of service connection for hypertension, kidney disability, and bilateral knee disability are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to include obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a psychiatric examination, and a bilateral knee examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and readjudication, including obtaining records from SSA, VA treatment records, and opinions regarding exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected back strain and left knee disabilities.