Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No decisions were made on the merits of any claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other symptoms associated with his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, as it relates to his service-connected left knee disability. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis, bilateral knee disability, chloracne, high cholesterol, lumbar spine disability (Degenerative Disc Disease), hydrocephalus, and benign prostatic hypertrophy are all denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition or link to service.

The Veteran is seeking educational benefits under Chapter 30, but the RO determined he was ineligible. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain his complete service records and determine if any exceptions apply.

The Veteran's cicatrix of the lateral aspect of his right knee is currently rated as noncompensable and does not warrant a higher rating based on its current symptoms or effects.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for cancer of any extremity, bilateral knee disability, right foot disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip bursitis and bilateral knee disorder, both secondary to his service-connected right ankle and lumbar spine disabilities, were granted effective March 3, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, left hip, right hip, and spine disorders are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is not properly adjudicated due to missing photographic evidence and clarification of his application. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's back and knee disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn, and no further action is required.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for sleep apnea, sarcoidosis, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee have been granted. The Veteran is seeking higher initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board has granted a higher disability rating of 40 percent for the service-connected residuals of right ankle fracture with ligament tear, effective from July 16, 2014. The Veteran's other knee disabilities continue to be rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to his period of active service.,The Veteran has hypertension that began in April 2005, which is within the presumptive period for hypertension due to military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for hypertension and patellar tendonitis of the right knee with degenerative arthritis have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disorders have not met the criteria for higher evaluations under applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including removal of symptomatic semilunar cartilage and degenerative joint disease with instability, warrants a 20 percent rating since March 15, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee and hip disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that his current bilateral knee and hip disabilities are not due to or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.