Knee decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of a right knee MCL tear, finding that his current condition is likely related to in-service injury. The hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy claims are denied as not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his claimed disabilities, finding that they are not related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners and considering lay statements of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of right knee disability and skin disorder, as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The case is REMANDED to obtain updated treatment records, schedule VA examinations, and readjudicate the issues.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain outstanding medical records. The left knee claim will be evaluated based on the current status post arthroscopy, while the lumbar spine disability will be evaluated with consideration of any associated neurologic abnormalities.

The Board granted service connection for arthritis of multiple joints and rhinitis, assigned initial noncompensable disability ratings to the Veteran's migraine headaches, lumbar strain, bilateral knee strains, bilateral ankle strains, hypertension, and anxiety disorder (NOS), and increased the rating for migraine headaches since May 14, 2013.

The Veteran's combined disability evaluation is currently 80 percent, which satisfies the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for a left knee disability has been withdrawn. The TDIU and erectile dysfunction claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of bilateral ankle sprains, right knee disorder, and bilateral pes planus have been reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,Service connection has also been granted for chronic obstructive sleep apnea, but the claim remains pending as new evidence was submitted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service and personnel records, private treatment records, and a VA medical examination. The appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is pending.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right knee disability and granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities are related to his military service, including multiple parachute jumps during service.

The VA determined that there is no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's current arthritis of the right and left knees and his military service, including training and combat operations. The Board found that the Veteran did not have any knee problems during service and that his current condition likely developed after service.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection. The right knee disability and instability were denied increased ratings, while the left knee disability and instability received a 30% rating.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected low back and right knee disabilities prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment, even when considering his past work experience. The TDIU claim is granted on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, CAD as secondary to asthma, cellulitis of both legs, arthritis of both knees, and restless leg syndrome. The Board found no current chronic cellulitis of either leg, no current diagnosis of chronic asthma related to military service, and that CAD was not incurred in or aggravated by the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his left knee and right ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and bilateral foot disorder, finding that her conditions were not due to disease or injury incurred in active service.