Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, left shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right and left knee disorders, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the appellant's current right knee disorder is at least as likely as not caused by or the result of a right knee injury during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) service in 1992.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence supporting the existence or etiology of his claimed conditions. The claim for a left knee disorder was not reopened, and the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) was reopened based on new evidence provided since the last final denial.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for type II diabetes mellitus and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, including from SSA and private physicians. The Veteran may also be scheduled for examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Board is requesting additional VA records from Guam and will consider the claims again after receiving these records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA joints examination to determine if the Veteran's current left knee, right knee, and right ankle disorders are related to his service-connected postoperative hammertoe disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee ligament strain is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects slight instability or subluxation. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing at the local RO due to the Veteran's request. The issues of service connection for residuals of back injury, broken nose condition, unspecified eye condition, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis are on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and back disabilities are not related to his military service, including as secondary to his already service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability ratings for optic retinopathy of the right eye and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee have been granted, with effective dates of November 7, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and missed examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his military service, and thus denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are found to be related to his military service, specifically injuries sustained during Reserve duty in July and August 2006. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing has been remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need for further development of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disorders have been granted service connection and assigned a 30% rating since December 14, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip disorder and bilateral knee disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral hammertoes. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee disabilities. The examiner concluded that any current knee conditions are more likely due to natural progression over time, rather than being related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and ankle disabilities are service-connected as they were incurred during his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his right hip disorder, as well as reassessment of his service-connected low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed low back, shoulder, knee, and hearing loss conditions.