Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's asthma, right shoulder disability, and left knee disability are all found to be related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, particularly from October 2013, and an additional VA examination.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for DJD of the left knee and a separate 10 percent rating for meniscal tear, both effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's TDIU request was also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the relationship between his current right knee, hip and back disabilities and his service. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and completing examinations for his knee and heart disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of a scheduled hearing before the Board. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. For the right knee, a higher rating was not granted as his condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule. For hypertension, an initial compensable rating was also denied due to lack of evidence showing diastolic blood pressure readings of predominantly 100 or more or systolic blood pressure 160 or more. The Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of auricle was not granted as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis was incurred during active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which was previously rated at 40%, is now rated at 10%. The reduction in rating is based on improvement in the condition as evidenced by a VA examination showing no limitation of motion and no functional loss.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, as well as whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current left or right knee disabilities and therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee chondromalacia status post arthroscopy is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Veteran's knee and foot conditions have been evaluated, but her initial disability ratings for these conditions remain denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right knee disability and granted an increased rating for hemorrhoids. The Veteran's current diagnoses include DJD of the right knee and hemorrhoids, which are both rated as 10% disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for reopening his claim of service connection for COPD is withdrawn. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability remains pending, but the RO must provide an adequate VA examination to determine if any current right or left knee disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address his left knee condition and hearing loss/tinnitus.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal of the denial to reopen the claim for service connection for right leg numbness as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.,Service connection was denied for Hepatitis C and cellulitis in the left knee.