Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple secondary service connection claims for various disabilities, including knees, ankles, and back conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The case is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability and skin condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing at the RO. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, bilateral knee and hip disorders, and low back disorder. The reopened claims are now considered together as all acquired psychiatric conditions are included.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by military service due to a pre-existing condition.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus and denied increased ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee and early posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that there was no evidence to support a worsening during service or aggravation.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by post-traumatic degenerative joint disease and patella chondromalacia, results in limited flexion to 74 degrees with normal extension. The VA examiner found no ankylosis or objective evidence of instability despite the Veteran's subjective complaints.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including TBI and headaches, were denied as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hip and knee disorders, peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy, and pes planus were granted. He was assigned a 10% disability rating for pes planus effective October 17, 2013.

The most probative evidence of record tends to make it unlikely that a right knee disability, manifested by degenerative joint disease, patellofemoral syndrome and bursitis, is secondary to a service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disability existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying service connection.

The Board has determined that another attempt should be made to schedule the Veteran for necessary VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities due to incomplete service records, including those from National Guard service and both periods of active duty. The case is also remanded to obtain dental treatment eligibility determinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no relationship between his current knee conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including Fabella syndrome, is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The Board denied service connection for back disability and right knee disability, as well as the Veteran's request for increased ratings for left knee disability. The decision also noted that some issues were remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities did not warrant a separate rating for limitation of flexion, and thus severed the separate 20 percent rating. The claim for increased rating was denied as there was no evidence showing aggravation of lumbar spine disorder by service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran does not have a current left knee disability that is related to service. The Board finds the evidence against the claim and denies service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including osteoarthritis and a rotator cuff tear, is service-connected as secondary to her service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is presumed to be related to the fall caused by her service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has identified the character of discharge as a distinct issue to be adjudicated and has remanded for further development, including a formal determination by the AOJ regarding veteran status. The claims will not be addressed on their merits until this is completed.