Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's right knee condition, including degenerative joint disease and total knee replacement, is found to be related to his military service. His erectile dysfunction is linked to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and exposure claims, but the VA has not verified his exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. The case is being remanded for further investigation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected right knee disability was denied as the evidence did not show that the disability warranted a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and records, particularly regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions of tardive dyskinesia and right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including service connection evaluations and a determination of the functional impairment resulting from her bronchitis.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's current left knee disorder was incurred in or otherwise resulted from her military service, including National Guard service. As such, the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 9, 2009 or effective August 1, 2010.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for arthritis of the knees and ankles, as the Veteran's assertions were not supported by medical evidence. The June 1999 rating decision remains final.

The Veteran's knee conditions have been rated based on the severity of his symptoms and X-ray findings. The evaluations are granted for the periods specified.

The Veteran's right knee disability is already rated at the maximum schedular evaluation available for dislocated semilunar cartilage, and further increased rating is not warranted based on current evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and denied initial evaluations in excess of 30 percent and 60 percent for right shoulder disability, respectively. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that resulted in current disability.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as tinnitus, all of which were claimed to be related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions. The claims are not supported by current evidence or medical opinion.

The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee effective from June 14, 2012. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating was received on December 18, 2007, and it is factually ascertainable that his right knee instability existed more than one year prior to this date.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic bilateral knee disability that began during service or is otherwise related to service, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, which are secondary to his service-connected left or right ankle disabilities. The Board has not provided a clear decision on whether the knees were caused by or aggravated by the ankles.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease was denied as the evidence did not show flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees, which would warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board finds that the Veteran's preexisting left knee condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his military service, and was not aggravated by service. As such, service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to an undeliverable SSOC, and the AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's current address and reissue the SSOC at that address.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine, right hip, and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and right knee disability was denied. The Board found that DM did not manifest during service, within one year of service, or is attributable to service exposure to herbicides. For the right knee issue, the Board noted insufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis.