Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.,For conditions other than right foot and left foot plantar fasciitis with pes planus, no new or material evidence was presented to reopen previously denied service connection claims.

The Board previously denied a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee total joint replacement from October 1, 2013. The case is now remanded due to inconsistencies in the findings by the VA examiner.

The Board has determined that a right knee disability was not incurred or aggravated as a result of active service and therefore denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination for PTSD. The RO will also provide an SOC regarding his other claims.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have been aggravated by active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of higher ratings for left knee arthritis remains pending.

The Veteran does not have a back disability, to include a left lower extremity nerve disability, a neck disability, a knee disability, a shoulder disability, an ankle disability, or a hip disability, that is related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease (IHD), and a total rating based upon individual unemployability prior to April 1, 2012. The IHD claim was granted with an effective date of April 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and a left knee disability has been granted. The Veteran's current left knee disability had its onset in service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities are not related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected.,The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for right knee PFS, to include as secondary to left knee PFS; entitlement to service connection for OSA, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities; and seeking a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine DDD are being REMANDED.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and chronic neck/cervical spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and right knee disorder. Service connection was denied for loss of teeth #7 and 10 due to lack of in-service trauma. The Veteran's TBI claim is pending.

The Veteran is seeking compensation for additional disability in the left lower extremity, including an upper or lower knee amputation, clotting, and gangrene, as a result of VA treatment. The Board has decided to remand this case for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability was not incurred in active duty service and is therefore denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inaccurate histories used in previous opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims for respiratory disability, hypertension, and bilateral knee disabilities are being reviewed with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, bilateral knee disabilities, and back disability are found to be related to his active service. The Board grants the claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that his left hip bursitis may be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and right knee disorder are denied as there is no evidence of a service connection. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-total knee replacement, does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent. However, he is entitled to an additional 20 percent evaluation for instability.