Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development in accordance with the Court's Memorandum Decision of November 2009. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right knee disability, residuals of a chest injury, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development, including a VA examination to address whether his right knee condition is related to or caused by his service-connected residuals of right ankle sprain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck, low back, and knee conditions are related to an in-service incident where he was thrown from a truck. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.,The Veteran is entitled to an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches.,Service connection has been granted for chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. The Veteran's skin disorder is also service connected as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. Service connection has not been established for a respiratory disorder or sleep disturbance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability and bilateral pigmentary glaucoma are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding records.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions. Other claims of service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain and bilateral knee disabilities, including obtaining relevant medical records and verifying his periods of active duty.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disability, hearing disability, and other conditions. The evidence does not support a finding of nexus between these disabilities and service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for total right knee replacement as secondary to his service-connected post-operative residuals of removal of Baker's Cyst of the right knee. The appeal is currently in remand status due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a left knee disability has been dismissed due to his withdrawal at the August 2011 DRO hearing and in writing.

The Veteran's left knee condition, characterized by pain and limited range of motion, has been rated at 10 percent since June 2009. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects his disability picture.

The Veteran's right knee PFS is not manifested by ankylosis, instability, subluxation, semilunar cartilage abnormality, impairment of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum; flexion and extension are not limited to a compensable degree. Therefore, a compensable rating for his service-connected right knee PFS is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for pes planus and bilateral knee disability, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, including medial meniscal degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia patella, is related to service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current left knee disability and whether it is related to service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was reopened based on the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that he has DJD, which is not related to his military service.,PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100% rating due to insufficient severity, but they do result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, including whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's symptoms of bilateral knee degenerative joint disease have been continuous since service separation, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The issue regarding a left foot condition is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to his right knee disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.