Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism, but has determined that these claims are not granted on their merits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral knee conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left hip and knee disabilities are not related to his service, including a reported bicycle accident. The most probative evidence indicates these conditions likely arose after he left service.

The Veteran does not have a current right knee disability and service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if the knee brace prescribed for his service-connected right knee disability results in wear and tear to his clothing, which would qualify him for an annual VA clothing allowance.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, chondromalacia and meniscus tear. The Veteran's skin disabilities of the bilateral feet, including trench foot, are also found to be related to service. Service connection is denied for bilateral pes planus.

The Board found no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused the Veteran's current low back, left shoulder, and right knee disabilities. The VA examiner opined that these conditions are more likely due to post-service repetitive traumas.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including DJD and DDD, was granted a 20 percent rating effective May 14, 2014. The left knee disability was denied.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for obstructive sleep apnea, left knee patellofemoral syndrome status post medial meniscectomy, and sinusitis have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The claims were denied due to lack of evidence supporting increased disability ratings or an earlier effective date for SMC.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to comply with prior remand directives. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's right hip replacement was due to avascular necrosis in the joint, which had origins many years after service separation. The left lower extremity disorder is attributed to degenerative changes and healed fractures of the knee and fibula.

The Board has found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed disabilities of the right and left knees, low back, and right and left feet are attributable to his military service. The Veteran also has a bilateral eye disability (specifically, photosensitivity) and headaches with nausea which are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities, considering all relevant factors including his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's service-connected Meniere's disease with hearing impairment, vertigo, and tinnitus is rated at 100 percent. The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities, and there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability, status post L4-L5 laminectomy, left knee disability, and left foot drop are all related to service. The appeal is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic left ankle sprain was reopened based on the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for a left knee condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder were granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a right knee disability rating was denied as the original award of service connection and noncompensable ratings were final, and no new claims or evidence had been submitted within one year prior to his August 28, 2012, increased rating claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current foot disorders, including bilateral pes planus and left valgus pronation, are likely related to his period of service. The Board also finds that these conditions are secondary to his bilateral pes planus, which is considered a service-connected condition.