Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a right knee disability was granted, and his claim for service connection for PTSD and depression as part of an acquired psychiatric disorder was also granted.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for an increased evaluation of diverticulitis. The claims for service connection for a Bartholin's gland cyst, right knee disability, and bilateral thumb disabilities were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left eye disability was denied. The issue of an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability is not currently before the Board due to withdrawal by the Veteran. His claim for TDIU was also denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria and there are no grounds for submission to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left shoulder and right knee conditions have been granted, effective July 23, 2011. The claim of service connection for hypertension has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, particularly regarding his left knee, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disability and remanded it for further development. The case will be returned to the Board once additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information. The Veteran's knee disabilities are being reviewed again, with a focus on determining their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and his symptoms are more likely related to non-service-connected conditions or natural aging processes.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if it is related to service-connected Achilles tendonitis and whether the condition permanently worsened due to that condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,Service connection for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left thigh, Muscle Group XV, with degenerative joint disease of the knee status post total knee replacement was granted and assigned a 60 percent rating effective as of May 28, 2010.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and ACL insufficiency, has been rated at 20 percent since January 1991. A separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability was assigned effective May 1, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for lumbo-thoracic spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability as the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.,No exposure basis was provided in the decision.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to clarify the relationship between the Veteran's right knee disability and his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and assigned a 10 percent rating for the right distal fibula fracture with repair since May 4, 2012. The low back disability claim is denied.

The Board determined that the Veteran's right knee and ankle disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they secondary to her service-connected thoracic spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder did not manifest during service or within a year of separation, and is unrelated to his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The claim for secondary service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his claim is granted. The VA examiner provided an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current headache disorder is related to his period of service or caused by his service-connected deviated nasal septum disorder.