Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities are not related to his service-connected back disability, and thus denied the claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle, left knee, and right hip disabilities were not incurred in service. The VA examiner opined that the left ankle disability was not caused by or a result of an in-service injury.

The Veteran's right knee disability has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities. The case is therefore being remanded for appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development due to the need for clarification of diagnoses, etiology opinions, and consideration of aggravation by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and worker's compensation records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to address his ED, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for SMC at a higher level due to his need for regular aid and attendance by another person.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU under VA regulations. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive and anxiety disorders, finding that the Veteran's psychiatric disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right inguinal hernia and for increased ratings for his anxiety disorder, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The issues of increased ratings for an anxiety disorder, a right knee disability, and a left knee disability, and a TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is not service connected, and his left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a secondary service connection for sleep apnea due to his major depressive disorder, knee problems, and fibromyalgia. The VA examiner needs to provide an opinion regarding whether these conditions caused or aggravated the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and adjudicative action, including obtaining a VA medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, bilateral hip and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right foot DJD with hallux valgus post fracture of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd metatarsals disability. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for degenerative changes of the right and left knees have been denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral flat feet, GERD, and arthritis of the right knee and leg. The claim for GERD was reopened but still denied. The other claims were not reopened.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for red cancer on neck, left knee condition, sprain of the right knee, disability of the cervical spine, disability of the lumbar spine, and crushed left foot have been denied. The reduction in evaluation from 100 percent disabling to non-compensably disabling for bilateral hearing loss has also been denied.