Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he can perform sedentary work despite his physical and psychiatric conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection in part, including for tension headaches and bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, prostate condition, ankle/knee conditions, left side pain, and shoulder conditions were also addressed but not granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, hypertension (secondary to PTSD), initial rating for PTSD, and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow, and knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the current disabilities of the knees, low back, and neck are unrelated to an injury, disease, or event in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and irritable bowel syndrome were denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability, nor does he meet criteria for a higher evaluation for his irritable bowel syndrome prior to August 22, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development of his service personnel records and a need for additional medical opinion regarding the onset and relationship of his current knee and back disabilities to military service.

The Board denied all claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability to which his complaints could be attributed and that any symptoms he experienced were already contemplated in the existing ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including laxity of the right knee, arthritis of the right knee, hypertension, and degenerative joint arthritis of the left knee, combine to preclude him from all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, diaphragm hernia, and low back disability. However, new evidence did not provide a basis to grant these claims as they are denied due to lack of medical nexus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection. This includes obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, as well as any VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right ankle disability, bilateral arm disability, bilateral knee disability, rhino-sinus disability (to include sinusitis), and sleep apnea are denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining service personnel records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disorders have been granted, with a rating of 20% for the left knee condition. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including headaches, spine conditions, and hand/tendon disorders. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an opinion on the impact of these disabilities on employment.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional evidence and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination. The appeal will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling new VA examinations, and preparing a formal rating decision that rates the knee under appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The left knee disability is currently unclear as to its nature and etiology.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for an increased rating for a left knee disability and service connection for a right knee disability can be adjudicated.