Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development of his service personnel records and a need for additional medical opinion regarding the onset and relationship of his current knee and back disabilities to military service.

The Board denied all claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability to which his complaints could be attributed and that any symptoms he experienced were already contemplated in the existing ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including laxity of the right knee, arthritis of the right knee, hypertension, and degenerative joint arthritis of the left knee, combine to preclude him from all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, diaphragm hernia, and low back disability. However, new evidence did not provide a basis to grant these claims as they are denied due to lack of medical nexus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection. This includes obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, as well as any VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right ankle disability, bilateral arm disability, bilateral knee disability, rhino-sinus disability (to include sinusitis), and sleep apnea are denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining service personnel records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disorders have been granted, with a rating of 20% for the left knee condition. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including headaches, spine conditions, and hand/tendon disorders. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an opinion on the impact of these disabilities on employment.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional evidence and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination. The appeal will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling new VA examinations, and preparing a formal rating decision that rates the knee under appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The left knee disability is currently unclear as to its nature and etiology.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for an increased rating for a left knee disability and service connection for a right knee disability can be adjudicated.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected due to exposure to acoustic trauma in service. The knee disability claim was denied as there is no clear evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on his service-connected right knee and left hip disorders was granted, effective September 26, 2006. The rating assigned is 70 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability and granted it based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and systemic multiple joint arthralgia as the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis was not incurred in service and is not related to his right knee disability. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. ¶ 1151 for a left knee disorder was denied as his additional disability did not result from VA carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment. His service connection claim for a left knee disorder was also denied due to lack of evidence showing the condition began during service or was caused by his service-connected spine disability.