Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not shown to be related to service or any service-connected disability, and the Board finds that a new diagnosis of arthritis in his knees is less likely due to an in-service injury.

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity and resultant amputation, which he believes was caused by an infection that set in after femoropopliteal bypass surgery at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center on April 3, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder with psychosis and schizophrenia, effective October 10, 2006. The claim for right knee disorder remains denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran's contentions were previously considered, and the new evidence did not provide a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for DJD of the knees and determined that new evidence supports this reopening. However, it was not able to establish a link between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service and the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and ankle disorders, finding no evidence of in-service injury or chronic symptoms. The acquired psychiatric disability claim is addressed separately.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that it is due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The issues of service connection for bilateral hip and leg disorders, increased evaluation claims for bilateral knee disabilities, and entitlement to TDIU are pending.

The Board found that the appellant's left knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The appeal for an increased rating of hepatitis C is also remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee synovitis. The Veteran's current left knee disability is found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of a left knee condition and credible evidence linking it to his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) period in Korea, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new joints examination and consideration of the June 2013 medical opinion from his private treating physician. The case will also be considered in light of any newly received evidence.

The Veteran's asthma was aggravated during service, and her left knee disability is due to military service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from June 19, 2011 to June 21, 2011 at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital were reimbursed as the emergency treatment was deemed necessary due to his severe symptoms and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is caused by his service-connected bilateral residuals of frozen feet with hallux valgus and peripheral neuropathy, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a partial meniscectomy performed in service and another in February 2009, is currently rated at 20 percent for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for BPH, an initial compensable rating for hematuria, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for thoracolumbar strain with disc herniation and right knee arthritis. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was rated separately.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the evidence did not establish current conditions or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, pes planus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are found to be of such severity as to effectively preclude substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's claims for extraschedular evaluation of his lumbosacral spine disability, increased rating for right knee arthroplasty, and retroactive effective date for radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.