Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left knee degenerative joint disease were not incurred or aggravated as a result of active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for hypertensive heart disease prior to January 26, 2011 or from that date onwards. For his knees, the evidence supported only a 10 percent rating since November 30, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to provide the Veteran's representative with proper notice. The issues of service connection for flat feet and a bilateral knee disability are inextricably intertwined, so they must be resolved prior to addressing any secondary claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's additional disability of a total left knee replacement was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill. The underlying arthritic condition is considered the primary etiology of his pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing. The appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather other issues related to compensation and rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a respiratory disorder, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of the evidence. The issues are whether he should receive higher ratings for his Barrett's esophagus with gastritis and degenerative joint disease of the knees.

The Veteran's bilateral elbow and right knee osteoarthritis have been found to be related to his active military service, thus granting the claims for these disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability has been granted. He is now rated at 20% for limitation of extension from December 22, 2008 to March 25, 2009 and at 10% for instability since February 16, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees are causally related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a Travel Board hearing and will notify the Veteran if further action is required.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and right knee disability are granted service connection, while the initial compensable evaluation for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease is denied. The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing. The appeal is not ready for final disposition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a qualified clinician to address the Veteran's claims of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and service connection for various disabilities, including arthritis of the right hip. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of both knees has been rated at 10 percent each, with separate ratings for instability. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the April 2002 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for a right knee condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left and right knee disabilities are service-connected.