Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right and left shoulder disabilities. These conditions are deemed to have been incurred during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric or knee disorders are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and lumbar conditions, as well as service connection for fecal leakage secondary to hemorrhoids. The decision also addressed a TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back strain, bilateral knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claim for an increased rating for low back strain was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's pes planus disability was reduced to a noncompensable rating, effective June 1, 2009. The Board found that the reduction was proper based on improvement in his condition. The Veteran's total disability due to individual unemployability claim is denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran with VA examinations to assess his current disability levels. The TDIU claim will also be addressed during this process.

The Veteran's appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability has been withdrawn.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a bilateral leg disability during service and denied his claim for service connection. The Board also noted that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology after service, and therefore denied his claim based on post-service continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's right ankle ligament ossification is granted, but the issues of service connection for back and knee disorders are remanded due to incomplete information or clarification needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for arthritis of both knees and service connection for a left elbow disorder were denied. The Veteran's current 10 percent ratings for arthritis are not supported by the evidence, which shows no ankylosis or instability in either knee.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional procedural and evidentiary development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for his right knee disability. The claim for service connection secondary to the right knee disability will be addressed as a claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and determine the likely etiology of any diagnosed right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an automobile allowance and specially adapted equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further development to address the nature and etiology of any right knee, ankle, or foot disability. The examiner should consider the service medical records showing stress changes on bone scan in November 2008, the February 2010 reserve service medical record, and the November 2010 and April 2014 VA examination reports.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of left femur fracture with degenerative arthritis of the knee and secondary service connection for back disorder and varicose veins were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new disability ratings or benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are related to his active duty service, while his left shoulder and low back disabilities are not. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of chronic sinusitis during the appeal period. The issue of service connection for a bilateral knee disability remains pending and requires further examination to determine if it was aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a medial meniscectomy of the right knee are currently rated at 20 percent, and his DJD with painful limited motion is rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.