Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a material change in the disability and needs further examination. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee instability is pending.

Service connection is granted for left knee osteoarthritis and hypertension.,The Veteran's right ankle sprain and left ankle sprain issues are pending, as the necessary medical records have not been received.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for further development of his right knee osteoarthritis claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder and lumbar spine disorder are related to his military service, with no indication of undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for facial palsy was denied as he does not currently have this condition. The claims for higher initial ratings for the right shoulder and knee disabilities, and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is not related to his active military service, including a service-connected right ankle disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture manifested by pain and found that the Veteran's current right ankle disability is related to his in-service injury. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disability, to include as secondary to a right ankle disability, remains pending.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee arthritis have been granted. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for 'knee problems' is also granted, while the issue regarding asbestosis remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and findings.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has scheduled the Veteran for a Videoconference Board hearing due to his requests and will notify him of the date and time in accordance with VA regulations.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment at Peace River Regional Medical Center on May 5 and 6, 2009 were denied because the services were not rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including left knee arthritis and lumbar spine issues. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated evaluations for these conditions and to determine if the Veteran qualifies for TDIU based on his combined disability levels.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to his service, and there is no evidence of a right knee or sinusitis disability. The claims for depression were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder was granted in November 2012, and his right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The increased rating claim for the right knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus tear status post-surgical repair with osteophytosis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are too numerous and severe to identify a feasible vocational goal, leading to the denial of his VR&E benefits.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and left knee, status total replacement are currently rated at the minimum levels allowed by law. The VA examiners found no evidence of severe painful motion or weakness in either knee that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hip and knee disabilities are not related to his military service, including any exposure to ionizing radiation or sports injuries during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing due to the failure of his requested hearing date.