Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and left knee degenerative joint disease have been granted effective from November 13, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for hypertension has been withdrawn. The Board finds that there is no evidence to support the claim of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for a more detailed VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left knee and back disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and VA treatment records from Wilmington, Delaware.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with intermittent plantar fasciitis, as well as his left shoulder disorder, are all productive of functional loss due to painful motion. The Board finds that a rating of 10 percent is warranted for each condition.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including their relationship to his service-connected left ankle disorder.

The Board found that the January 1999 RO rating decision denying service connection for a right knee disability was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The effective date of August 25, 2005, for the grant of service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral knee disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder and GERD. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder, including chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease, has been manifested by x-ray evidence of DJD, limitation of extension no worse than 5 degrees, limitation of flexion no worse than 90 degrees, patellar crepitus, swelling, tenderness, and complaints of pain on use. The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent since February 5, 2007.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder should be remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability in his left ear, and there is no evidence linking his right ear hearing loss to service. The Veteran's knee disorders are also not related to his service. As such, the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, and right great toe condition are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle, lumbosacral spine, bilateral hip and bilateral knee disabilities have effectively rendered him unable to use his lower extremities without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair. As such, he is entitled to specially adapted housing.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is attributable to a known clinical diagnosis and not related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case to address service connection for bilateral hip, ankle, and left knee disorders due to inadequate rationale provided by a VA examiner regarding aggravation of these conditions. The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection for hypertensive retinopathy is also addressed.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's left knee disability to his active service or an undiagnosed illness, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new examination to address functional limitations due to flare-ups and an addendum opinion regarding his employability. The TDIU claim must be remanded for readjudication.

The VA medical opinion determined that the service-connected right leg disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's cause of death, which was due to complications from multiple strokes.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's oligodendroglioma and dismissed his claims for right knee disability. The remaining issues of left knee disorder and bilateral pes planus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the obtaining of relevant medical records.