Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 30% effective July 13, 2012. The Board denied a higher rating based on the severity of symptoms and impairment during this period.

The Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, but his lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy were granted increased evaluations effective August 12, 2013.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the functional impairment caused by his service-connected disabilities and for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder (claimed stomach disability) has been reopened and is granted. Service connection is also granted for sinusitis, bilateral lower extremity arthritis as secondary to service-connected disability, left upper extremity arthritis as secondary to service-connected disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right knee disorder that is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and clarification of functional loss during flare-ups. The issue remains whether an increased rating beyond 20 percent is warranted for his left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected knee, shoulder, lumbar spine, elbow, and carpal tunnel disabilities have been granted initial compensable ratings. The effective dates for these ratings are not specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a lumbar spine, right knee, or left knee disability that is related to his active military service.

The Board has not made a determination on the service connection claims for right knee degenerative joint disease and hypertension as these issues are considered 'unknown' due to insufficient information. The initial rating claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, low back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, and ankle disabilities have been granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and polycythemia vera. The appeal will be remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed blood disorder found.

The case is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The AOJ will then readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypokalemia has been withdrawn. The claims for bilateral feet, ankle, and right knee disabilities have not met the requirements for service connection as there is no credible evidence of current disability or in-service incurrence/aggravation. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied on both direct and secondary bases.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran seeks a temporary total rating for convalescence after his left knee replacement surgery. The Board is remanding the case to determine if the surgery was related to his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome and whether it required at least one month of convalescence.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, and plantar fasciitis of the right foot. The claim for bilateral shin disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a chronic bilateral shin disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including strain and associated meniscal tear and cartilage defect, was rated at 30 percent for limitation of extension from November 2010 to March 11, 2011. From May 1, 2011, she is entitled to a separate 20 percent rating for instability.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been granted service connection, but are currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, claimed as secondary to service-connected right knee bursitis, is not proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected condition. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a condition of the right hand, wrist, and fingers as secondary to service-connected right elbow disability. The Veteran's other claims are either denied or require further development.