Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal was denied as her claims for increased ratings and TDIU were not granted. The issues of service connection, increased rating, extraschedular rating, and TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain relevant medical records and to provide the Veteran with VA examinations to address her claims. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease and a separate compensable rating for recurrent left knee subluxation or lateral instability is granted, with the latter condition being found to be mild based on January 2011 VA examination findings.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee condition and hemochromatosis.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal for the claims related to osteoarthritis of the right ankle with tendinitis status post arthroscopy, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, osteoarthritis and bursitis of the right hip, and plantar fasciitis of the right foot, with plantar and Achilles bone spurs and degenerative changes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty or within one year of discharge, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry. The Veteran's current knee conditions are more likely related to intercurrent injuries after service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis and left knee meniscal tear and partial ACL tear have been granted service connection, but the initial evaluations are at the minimum noncompensable level.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by the Veteran's active duty military service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for a bilateral knee disability is remanded as additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's left knee disability. The claims will be readjudicated after all development is completed.

The Board has granted service connection for labral tears of the right hip and bilateral knee degenerative changes with MCL strain and patellar tendinosis, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service hip pain.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any left knee, right knee, or low back disability related to service. The VA and private medical records do not support a link between her in-service injuries and her current conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disorder other than instability, chondromalacia patellae status post lateral release, and scars. For her left knee, the evidence is in equipoise as to whether she currently has or had a left knee disorder other than instability, chondromalacia patellae status post lateral release, and scars. The Board also finds that her left knee instability was caused by her service-connected chondromalacia patellae status post lateral release.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to missing records and incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sleep disorder, insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, and residuals of fractured nose are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right elbow and right knee disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability of chronic abdominal soreness or a right hip disability.

The Veteran's heart disorder is presumed to be secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis. The Board grants reopening of the claim for a heart disorder and remands the issue for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, reopened and service connection claims were addressed. The rating reduction of the left index finger was upheld, but a new effective date was granted for some of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right ankle, and right foot disabilities as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The evidence received since the last final decisions is considered new and material. Service connection is granted for tinea cruris.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience from September 22, 2011.

The Veteran's claims to service connection for right shoulder, bilateral wrist and finger, back, neck, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders have been denied as the evidence does not establish a nexus between his current diagnoses and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.