Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claims for low back disorder, left knee disorder (secondary to service-connected disabilities), and left hip bursitis. The claim for increased ratings for left ankle sprain and left hip bursitis is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to his right ankle, lumbar spine, bilateral hip, or bilateral knee conditions that are directly attributable to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right knee patellafemoral syndrome and residuals of right femur and tibia fractures has been withdrawn by the representative prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee arthritis and bilateral pes planus have not been decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hip, knee, or hearing loss disabilities for VA purposes and therefore service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, meeting the criteria for this rating level.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen claims of service connection for low back, right shoulder, and left knee disabilities have been withdrawn by his representative. The claim seeking an increased rating for PTSD has been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death, and whether his suicide was related to his severe chronic pain.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability requires the use of a brace, which wears and tears his clothing. The Board granted an annual clothing allowance for 2012 based on this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disorders did not begin during active service or within one year after discharge from service. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection based on his service-connected foot and ankle disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his right knee disability and found that he is not entitled to TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee and left elbow disabilities due to insufficient evidence in some areas, including a lack of adequate nexus opinions. The Veteran's current diagnoses will be evaluated along with his service treatment records.

The Board has reinstated the Veteran's 10 percent disability rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee pursuant to Diagnostic Code 5257 and amended the diagnostic criteria used to evaluate this condition.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the appellant's right knee disability, effective September 30, 2010. The claim for service connection of a left knee disability was denied and the effective date for the right knee rating was set at September 30, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and a current VA knee examination. The Veteran's attorney also filed notices of disagreement regarding service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and an effective date prior to June 14, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to February 2, 2009 is dismissed as he specifically denied seeking this benefit in January 2009.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease has not been manifested by flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees, including due to pain or following repetitive motion. As a result, the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hip and left knee disorders are found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, thus granting the claims.

The Veteran's knee and back conditions have been evaluated, but the Board has determined that none of his claims are supported by sufficient evidence to warrant a grant of benefits.