Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The reduction in rating of coronary artery disease was not proper as there was no actual improvement in the disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and Epstein Barr Virus.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed knee disabilities are not related to his service and denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for right ear hearing loss, bilateral hand disability, and higher initial ratings for iliotibial band syndrome of the right knee and tinnitus.

The Veteran's right and left knee degenerative joint diseases have been productive of limitation of motion due to symptoms such as pain, but do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend a hearing at the VA Central Office in Washington, D.C. due to health reasons.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and any private treatment records related to the Veteran's left leg injuries.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, including VA Vocational Rehabilitation folder/records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to obtain medical records, clarify the nature and extent of his psychiatric conditions, and determine if he has any current respiratory or skin disorders. The specific issues on appeal will be addressed once this additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, right and left knee disorders, a ganglion cyst of the left wrist, a right wrist disorder, and migraine headaches. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and PTSD, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability. The Board also found that the pre-existing right knee disability was permanently aggravated by service, thus granting service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee disability is granted as his chondromalacia of the patellofemoral joint is related to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee incision scar status post abscess results in pain and warrants a 10 percent initial rating.

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia has been productive of painful motion with flexion limited to no less than 100 degrees, including on repetition, and extension limited to 0 degrees. The Board finds that a higher rating based on limitation of flexion or extension is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and found that the Veteran's PTSD warrants an increased evaluation. The case is remanded to issue a Statement of the Case regarding the increased evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee and left ankle/foot disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for a TDIU, as they do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.