Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee and lumbar spine disorders are not related to service, with no aggravation during service. The pre-existing conditions were presumed to be sound at entry into service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability had its onset in service and has persisted continuously since, warranting service connection. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee disorder, including arthritis and exostosis of the lateral facet patella. A separate compensable rating (10%) was also granted for the exostosis of the lateral facet patella.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all three issues, including service connection for a bilateral knee condition, an increased rating for diffuse spondylosis of the thoracic spine with straightening and moderate spondylosis of the cervical spine greater than 10 percent, and a compensable rating for residual scar from calcaneus fracture repair on his right foot.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence did not show any specific injuries or diagnoses during service, and the VA examiner opined that the disabilities were more likely due to post-service incidents.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not worsen during service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the denial of service connection for right ear hearing loss due to withdrawal by the appellant. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the right knee is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the issues on appeal should be remanded for further development, including clarification of the characterization of the claims and obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee and low back disorders.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome, joint pain in various joints, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee are all found to be related to his service in the Gulf War. The claims for these conditions are granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and correction of VCAA notice.

The Veteran's clothing allowance claim is inextricably intertwined with his service connection claims for low back and knee disabilities. The case is REMANDED to the VAMC in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his claim for an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of their onset during active duty or within one year post-service. The current conditions are considered to be unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board once additional information is obtained.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for instability residual to a torn medial meniscus in the left knee, finding that the Veteran had no more than overall moderate instability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Video Conference hearing before the Board to be held at the VA Regional Office in San Antonio, Texas.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including malaria, a respiratory disorder, a cervical spine disorder, neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, right and left eye disorders, fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal pain, bilateral knee disorders, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has received notification of the appellant's request to withdraw his appeal regarding service connection for right and left knee conditions. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right and left knee disorders are at least as likely as not related to his period of military service, including his service as a paratrooper. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of outstanding treatment records.