Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for patellar tendinitis of the left and right knees, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during Reserve training.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left knee is being remanded due to a lack of medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 20 percent since March 12, 2011. The rating was increased based on the findings of limited extension.

The Board has granted benefits under the HISA program for converting the Veteran's existing bathtub to a walk-in shower, as this is necessary to provide access to essential lavatory and sanitary facilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disability and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension is causally related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for hypertension. The issue of an increased rating for right knee arthritis remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for low back, left hip, and right knee disabilities are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The rating for the right knee disability remains at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for various shoulder, knee, and lumbar spine disorders as well as migraine headaches. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not considered to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine if she currently has disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, back disability, right knee disability, and left ankle and foot disability, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background. The Board finds entitlement to TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of liver disorder, left heel fracture, bilateral testicle disorder, and other conditions have been withdrawn. The remaining claims are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether service-connected shrapnel fragment wound aggravates left knee and back disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's cervical spine and right knee disabilities are not related to his service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability should be remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to issue a Statement of the Case for all four issues related to service connection for ankle and knee disabilities. The Veteran must be notified of their rights and responsibilities in perfecting an appeal.

The Veteran's malignant glial neoplasm was not service connected, and the Board could find no evidence linking it to herbicide exposure or a head injury. The cause of death from cardiorespiratory arrest due to glioblastoma multiforme is also not attributable to VA medical care.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, ankle, foot, and low back disorders are not related to his military service or any incident therein. The Veteran's only service-connected condition is a residual of a fracture of the right thumb, which does not appear to be aggravated by these other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VA examination. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed again.