Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's right knee strain with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent, effective September 16, 2013. The evidence shows painful but noncompensable loss of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and records, as well as to verify the Veteran's current address. The issues of service connection for a back disability, right knee condition, and bilateral foot condition are pending.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, osteoarthritis of the elbows, thoracolumbar spine disorder, right knee condition, and left knee disorder. The decision found no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions that was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee. However, due to an in-service right knee injury and its potential impact on the left knee, the issue is being remanded to first address the right knee claim before considering the left knee.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder had its onset in service or is related to her service. The Veteran's claims file should be provided to another appropriate examiner for review.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disabilities and assigned an initial noncompensable rating. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by pain, limitation of motion, moderate instability, and X-ray evidence of degenerative joint disease, warrants a combined rating of 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for patellar tendinitis of the left and right knees, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during Reserve training.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left knee is being remanded due to a lack of medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 20 percent since March 12, 2011. The rating was increased based on the findings of limited extension.

The Board has granted benefits under the HISA program for converting the Veteran's existing bathtub to a walk-in shower, as this is necessary to provide access to essential lavatory and sanitary facilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disability and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension is causally related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for hypertension. The issue of an increased rating for right knee arthritis remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for low back, left hip, and right knee disabilities are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The rating for the right knee disability remains at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for various shoulder, knee, and lumbar spine disorders as well as migraine headaches. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not considered to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine if she currently has disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, back disability, right knee disability, and left ankle and foot disability, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background. The Board finds entitlement to TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of liver disorder, left heel fracture, bilateral testicle disorder, and other conditions have been withdrawn. The remaining claims are dismissed.