Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remands the claims for higher disability ratings for various foot and knee disabilities. The issue of entitlement to an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is also remanded due to its interrelated nature with the remanded claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed on its merits, with a focus on whether it was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lower back pain is not secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee condition, but has remanded the case for a new examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lower back pain was aggravated by his service-connected knees.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and requires further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and retrospective medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right and left knee disorders, as secondary to service-connected varicose veins. The decision is based on an inadequate medical opinion that did not address whether the Veteran's knee strains and pain are aggravated by his service-connected varicose veins.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depression is granted service connection, but his bilateral knee condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective dates for the grants of service connection are May 31, 2017 (for lumbosacral strain and right knee strain and patellofemoral pain syndrome) and January 16, 2019 (for allergic rhinitis). The claims for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, irritable bowel syndrome, bronchitis, and a left ankle condition are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis, degenerative changes/spondylosis of the lumbar region, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the right knee were denied service connection as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMII), and left knee disability. The decision found that the pre-existing conditions did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU from June 30, 2012 to January 5, 2016. The Board finds that the August 2012 rating decision is not final and remands for adjudication of his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The right knee condition and Lhermitte's syndrome claims are being remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and potential exposure verification issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right and left knee disabilities, and a cervical spine disability due to inadequate opinions in the prior VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records and arrange for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee has been denied.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a fungal condition of the head, which was previously denied due to lack of evidence, is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee tendonitis and right knee tendonitis have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU has been granted, but the appeal for increased ratings for his right upper extremity radiculopathy and right shoulder disability is being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service symptoms and continued since service. The claim is based on direct evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and service.

The Board denied service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for a right knee disability was improper and restored it.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and peptic ulcers on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was also granted for left ankle strain with retained shrapnel, right hip strain, left hip strain, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, knee, wrist, and ankle conditions due to unclear dates of active duty.