Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for right shoulder disability and service connection for right knee disability. The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating claim, while the Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's contention that his current right knee DJD and arthritis were related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further consideration, including extraschedular evaluation and referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services.

The Veteran seeks service connection for right arm and right knee disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current status of these conditions and their relationship to his National Guard service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left knee disorder, which he claims was caused by an in-service injury. The Board finds the August 2010 VA examination insufficient and requests an addendum opinion to address direct service connection and whether the condition is aggravated by his service-connected left foot/ankle disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right leg/knee disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his period of honorable service or within a presumptive period. The current conditions are also not shown to be related to his period of honorable service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current arthritis in his knees is not related to any event, injury or illness during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left knee disability or bilateral leg disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claim for service connection for a right knee disability was previously denied due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are related to his active duty training and inactive duty training, leading to service connection being granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, to include Osgood-Schlatter disease, was denied as there is no competent and credible evidence of a diagnosed right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chondromalacia and osteoarthritis of the right knee. The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 50% disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective April 5, 2014, based on his service-connected disabilities. The combined rating of these conditions meets the criteria for a TDIU as of July 31, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus with bilateral cataracts is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus has been treated with insulin and/or oral hypoglycemic agents and a restricted diet, corresponding to a 20 percent rating pursuant to DC 7913. Bilateral cataracts have resulted in at worst 20/40 vision in both eyes, corresponding to a noncompensable rating pursuant to DC 6066.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a thyroid disability, but denied the remaining issues of right shoulder, left arm and shoulder, and knee disabilities due to lack of clear and unmistakable evidence that these conditions were not incurred in service.

The Veteran's right knee disability was noted on his service entrance examination and worsened during service, leading to a recommendation for discharge. The Board finds that the pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the presence of qualifying chronic disabilities resulting from undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including her need for a total knee arthroplasty (TKA), is related to service and the Board has granted service connection. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination of the Veteran's knees due to assertions of increased severity since the last examination and evidence suggesting such.