Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's multiple-joint arthritis, left and right knee patella tendonitis, and left wrist ganglion cyst were all found to be likely incurred during his active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and dysthymic disorder, sarcoidosis, residuals of hepatitis B, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis are currently rated as 70 percent for PTSD and dysthymic disorder, 10 percent for sarcoidosis, no rating assigned for the other conditions. The appeals for increased ratings for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to scheduling issues with the previous VA examinations. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea and left knee replacement were first manifested during active duty, meeting the criteria for service connection. The extension of a total disability rating for convalescence purposes for his left knee replacement is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's appeal on the issue of an increased rating for hypertension is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions and finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities are proximately due to his service-connected bilateral ankle disability, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current left knee disorder was caused or aggravated by his military service. Additional development is needed, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for a VA joints examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have been denied. The effective date for the awards has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for right and left knee disabilities, including as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus and left ankle sprain. The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disorders are related to his period of service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. The Board also finds that the Veteran's current shoulder disorders may be related to his period of service or exposure to herbicides/Agent Orange, but this was not addressed by the examiner.

The Veteran's left knee posttraumatic arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome was not found to warrant a higher evaluation from August 1, 2008 to April 1, 2012.

The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded for further examination and opinion as the previous VA examination did not adequately address the private medical opinion and the continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board found no direct or presumptive service connection for the right knee disability and concluded that it was not incurred in service, is not presumed to have been incurred in service, and is not proximately due to or a result of a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection in several areas, including sensitive feet, bilateral knee disability, right leg disability, back disability, weight gain, sleep disorder, hypertension, and psychiatric disorder. The decisions were based on lack of direct causal nexus to military service or secondary service connection due to a pre-existing condition.