Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the reduction in the rating for instability of the right knee from 10% to noncompensable was proper based on evidence showing improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent from October 19, 2009 to June 19, 2014 and increased to 20 percent effective June 20, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was caused by a service-connected condition, specifically his bilateral knee replacement surgery. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether this contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left knee, lumbosacral spine, left shoulder, peripheral artery disease, and mental disorder conditions are not service-connected as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and reopening of his claim for bilateral knee disorder are being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right hip and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the irregular heartbeat claim. The Board found that service connection for bilateral pes planus, a skin disorder claimed as acne and razor burn, and bilateral wrist disability is not warranted based on lack of evidence of an increase in severity during service or aggravation by service.

The Veteran's knee brace causes wear and tear on her pants, which is service-connected. The Board finds the Veteran's assertion credible and grants an annual clothing allowance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of a low back disability or bilateral knee disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines, right knee with degenerative joint disease, and left knee osteoarthritis render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU are met.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, night sweats, chest pain, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and left knee disability have all been denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder (jaw pain).,No specific rating or effective date has been assigned in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a stomach or intestinal disability has been dismissed as the issue is no longer in dispute. The case is remanded for further development and examination regarding his knee and leg disabilities, low back syndrome, and right S1 radiculopathy.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated at 20 percent since December 5, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher evaluation for his right and left knees.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his post-surgical ACL repair and degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 10 percent. The appeal was granted for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess the current severity of his right knee, left knee, right ankle, and postoperative right knee scar disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip, knee, and low back disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected foot disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his currently diagnosed bilateral knee degenerative joint disease and whether it is related to his service-connected low back disability and left leg radiculopathy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that new evidence supports these claims.,Service connection is granted for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees.