Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right shoulder disorder, and left knee disabilities have been granted service connection. The Board has also remanded the issues of initial evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic bilateral knee disorder present during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability did not manifest during or as a result of her military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including deep venous thrombosis with varicose veins of the left and right lower extremities, adjustment disorder, left knee subluxation, limitation of flexion of the left knee, and hepatitis, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 6, 2011. As his combined evaluation was 90 percent at that time, he did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left total knee replacement is being remanded due to the need for a medical examination and opinion regarding the correct elective level for application of the 'amputation rule'.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative disc space narrowing, PTSD, left hip strain, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome. The Board has remanded the case for further development of her lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy, as well as issuance of a statement of the case regarding her initial ratings for service-connected left hip strain, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Tinnitus, Thoracolumbar Spine Strain, Right Ankle Strain, and Right Knee Disability, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability (PFPS) and denied service connection for right hip disability. The Veteran's left knee and left hip disabilities are associated with her right knee and right hip disabilities, respectively.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that it is more likely than not related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for an increased rating for PTSD, for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and for service connection for a bilateral knee condition prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a supplemental opinion regarding PTSD and an examination to determine the etiology of his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, which is claimed to be secondary to his service-connected right below-knee amputation, has been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and assigned a noncompensable rating for his service-connected tinea pedis. The other issues on appeal remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his cervical spine and knee disorders, including a lack of definitive service connection. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for left knee disability and remanded it for additional development. The Veteran's current left knee disability is at least as likely as not related to his service, including reports of a fall on the knee.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent for right total knee arthroplasty, or for left knee chondromalacia, or for residuals of a left tibia stress fracture. The Veteran's pes planus was rated appropriately.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is seeking to appeal several claims, including service connection for various hip and knee disorders, a cardiac disorder, tuberculous pleuritis, special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance/housebound, and compensation for hospitalization. The case is being remanded due to scheduling issues related to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of elbow, shoulder, knee, or ankle disorders. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.