Knee Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are not related to his active duty service. The VA examiner opined that the bilateral knee degenerative joint disease is less likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension and GERD are etiologically related to or aggravated by his active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and an increased rating for PTSD, but the case is remanded to obtain additional development regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a postponement of his Travel Board hearing. The issues related to increased rating for left knee injury, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to secure treatment records and determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeal for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for the service-connected left knee disability, status post ligamentous repair, with arthritis. The Board therefore dismisses this appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disorder and reopening of his claim for PTSD and depression have been withdrawn. The Board has also determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, but further development is needed before this can be decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed back disorder is at least as likely as not related to her military service, and thus service connection for a back disorder is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss disability, as well as an increased rating for migraine headaches. The Board dismissed these issues due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the left and right knees have been rated at 10 percent each since February 3, 2010. The Board finds that these ratings are not warranted based on the evidence presented.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability and whether it is related to service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and back disorders, as well as numbness of the lower extremities, were denied. The Board found that none of these conditions are shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and right long finger hyperkeratotic nodule are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities and hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and back conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis with chondromalacia was denied by the Board as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee strain is as likely as not attributable to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of traumatic brain injury remains pending due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's left total knee replacement is not service-connected as the preponderance of the evidence shows it was less likely than not related to his service.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least in equipoise with service connection, while tinnitus is granted based on credible lay testimony.