Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected repaired torn cartilage of the right knee has been granted a 20% disability rating effective December 27, 2010. The condition is characterized by moderate recurrent lateral instability and removal of the medial meniscus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities, diagnosed as patellofemoral syndrome, were less likely as not related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee and right shoulder disabilities are service-connected as they are linked to injuries sustained during his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all forms of gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not individually unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder and arthritis did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's traumatic brain injury and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be service-connected. The PTSD is assigned a 50% disability rating, the left knee and right knee conditions are each rated at 10%, the shoulder strains are not service-connected, the wrist condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating, the spine strain is rated at 10%, the ankle strains do not warrant a higher rating, the hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 10%, and the headaches are assigned a 30% disability rating. The Veteran's hypertension, DVT, restless leg syndrome, IBS, erectile dysfunction, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease are each rated at 10%.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed DJD of the knees is related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus disability, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the claims, including a review by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation in any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee meniscal tears were denied as his conditions are rated at the lowest possible disability level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left knee disability have been denied as there is no competent evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right or left knee disability, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claim for service connection for a testicle disability is remanded as additional development is needed to determine if there is any current condition of the testicle related to service.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased rating for low back disability and TDIU are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran's other service-connected conditions have not been linked to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to her service or caused by her service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for various knee, hip, toe, and foot disorders as well as sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are based on the absence of current diagnoses or medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, a subdural hematoma due to a probable head trauma resulting from a fall, was not caused by or aggravated by any service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral knee disability secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with ankle pain. The Veteran's current rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with ankle pain remains at 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such during service. The current degenerative joint disease is considered a condition of aging.

The Board has remanded the case for further action to address whether the Veteran's left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus and low back disability. The claim will be returned to the AOJ for compliance with this directive.