Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected right knee replacement residuals and anxiety disorder do not meet the criteria for eligibility for the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and providing a list of the appellant's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claim for service connection on a secondary basis to his service-connected left leg radiculopathy with foot drop is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for an additional opinion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for residuals of a right knee injury. The claims for left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, hypertension, and bilateral eye disability have all been denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's back brace for his service-connected low back disability results in wear and tear to his clothing, warranting a clothing allowance for 2014. However, the knee braces are not prescribed for any service-connected disability, nor is there evidence of skin conditions due to service-connected disabilities that would qualify for a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's low back disorder, specifically lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, is found to have originated during his period of active military service. The left knee disability is also found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and likely etiology of his knee disability, assess the severity of his dysthesia with cubital tunnel syndrome, and evaluate his right foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and found that the Veteran does not have PTSD. The remaining claims to service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in August 2014.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and its associated complications, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and/or PTSD), have not been found to be related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to service connection for cholesterol, short-term memory loss, diabetes mellitus, eligibility for a non-service connected pension, and TDIU. The claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to new evidence received since the April 2009 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further investigation is needed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral Dupuytren's contracture of the hands is granted. The right total knee replacement is rated at 30 percent, and the Veteran meets criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records. The case will be adjudicated again after these are obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders are related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability and remanded it for further development. The Veteran's left hip disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective June 4, 2011, and her right hip disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective April 23, 2009.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other diagnostic codes. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for the service-connected right knee contusion and sprain residuals and traumatic arthritis was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher than 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining post-service medical records and providing new examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected low back strain is on appeal. She also seeks service connection for left and right knee disorders that she contends are secondary to her service-connected bilateral pes planus and low back strain.,The Veteran claims service connection for a left knee disorder, which she asserts is related to her service-connected bilateral pes planus and low back strain. She also claims service connection for a right knee disorder, again asserting it is related to her service-connected bilateral pes planus and low back strain.,The Veteran seeks TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.