Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a new examination for his left knee disability and an opinion on whether his bilateral foot disorder is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as a VA examination to address the etiology of his claimed disabilities. The issues on appeal include service connection claims for various conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various conditions, including his lumbar and cervical spine conditions, knee disorders, foot disorder, migraines, PTSD, psychiatric disorders, shoulder disorders, gastrointestinal issues, respiratory problems, chest tightness, and chronic fatigue. The appeals were not granted as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable rating schedules.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee condition did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has restored the 40% disability rating for low back strain, effective from November 1, 2009. The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral knee and hip disabilities are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluations for service-connected hemorrhoids and right knee strain have been granted, with the hemorrhoids rated at 10 percent effective February 19, 2014.

The Board finds that there is no medical evidence indicating that the Veteran's right or left knee disabilities are proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current knee conditions are directly linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a Board videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The conditions claimed, including tinea pedis with folliculitis and bilateral pes planus, were not found to warrant higher initial disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his right leg and knee disorders, including whether they are permanently aggravated by his service-connected left leg wound scar.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected left knee strain and if it was caused or worsened by that condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and spastic colon as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.,Service connection was not granted for a left knee disability.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the service-connected left knee disability on the basis of instability from August 20, 2012 through October 10, 2012.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome, but the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for lumbar strain, right knee strain, and right shoulder strain from December 30, 2008 were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability (limitation of flexion) is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on evidence showing limited range of motion without additional functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his military service for any of the claimed conditions, and thus denied all claims.