Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post-operative residuals of a fractured right distal tibia and fibula, lumbar DDD, patellofemoral arthritis of the right knee, residual scar on the right ankle, and osteoarthritis of the right foot, have been found to be so disabling as to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations to address service connection claims for ear disorder, low back disorder, hip disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The appellant's assertions of incurring injuries during ACDUTRA are considered credible.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of varicose veins and a higher rating for left knee disability were both denied by the Board.

The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's left knee disability existed prior to his active duty service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current left knee disability was aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle, low back, right knee, and right shoulder disorders. The diagnoses were not supported by evidence showing a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and uterine fibroids. The effective date of the award remains unclear as there is no specific information provided regarding when the disability arose or was first manifested.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues regarding crepitus in the Veteran's shoulders and knees, which were not adequately addressed in the previous decision.

The Veteran's bilateral DJD of the knees was aggravated by his service-connected left ankle posttraumatic arthritis with osteochondritis dissecans, and therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee, right ankle, left ankle disabilities and PTSD. The claims for reopening previously denied left knee and PTSD were granted due to new evidence received.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability and determine if his lower back disability is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a lightning strike injury, left and right knee disabilities, and PTSD. However, these claims are not granted as the evidence does not establish that any disability is related to military service.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis related to sinus, knee, back or acquired psychiatric disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders and review of the claims file.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling appropriate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability was incurred during service and granted service connection. The initial increased ratings for PTSD and coronary artery disease are remanded as new examinations are needed to assess current severity.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current right knee disability or arthritis of the right knee, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination for his cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The Board will consider whether separate ratings may be assigned for different periods of time based on facts found.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's postoperative residuals of left knee injury with arthritis are etiologically related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.