Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for her right knee disability and service connection for migraine headaches were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on arthritis and limitation of motion, but also noted that she had subjective complaints of pain without objective findings of functional impairment.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is found to be related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran's pes planus has been rated at the highest allowable rating since August 13, 2012.

The Board found no evidence of service-connected heart disease, arthritis, or respiratory disability. The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, including arthritis and lateral instability, have been granted with a 10% rating. The fracture of the left metacarpal joint has also been granted with a 10% rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disorders are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected left ankle disability, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been manifested by range of motion from 5 degrees extension to no worse than 90 degrees flexion, with pain on active motion. The Board found that the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claimed back injury, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are not considered to have started during service or be related to service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding both issues, including obtaining a medical opinion on whether any currently or previously diagnosed right knee disorder is due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability and determining if there are any other neurological abnormalities associated with the service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and he has a separate rating for painful motion. The residuals of his fracture of the right ring and little fingers are also rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not presented such an exceptional or unusual disability picture with such related factors as marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization as to render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards. Therefore, referral for extraschedular consideration is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to issues related to service connection for left knee disability, including as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, as the newly submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, headaches, polycystic ovary syndrome, right knee disability, and right hip disability are all granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee osteoarthritis prior to August 30, 2012. The evidence did not show any limitation of motion or instability that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied all service connection claims, including for nicotine dependence as a matter of law and for limited use of the hands as moot due to the grant of service connection. The Veteran's skin disability was rated based on its severity.

The Board has determined that further VA examination is necessary to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left knee disability, including whether it is related to service or caused by her service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 23, 2010 for the grants of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and tinnitus are denied. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is pending as VA treatment records are needed. The claim for increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder is pending as VA treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected bursitis of the left knee.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic knee disability in service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorders are not linked to his military service.