Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for more detailed medical opinions and additional development of the record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's back condition is not related to his knee conditions or service. The Veteran's left and right knee strains with degenerative joint disease are currently evaluated at 10 percent each, as they do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations based on limitation of motion.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a neck disability and granted it, finding that there is evidence relating the current neck disability to service. The kidney and left knee disability claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has received a withdrawal of all appeals from the appellant's authorized representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to his service-connected left knee disability and grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran failed to appear for necessary VA aid and attendance examinations, which prevented the determination of whether he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, an upper back disability, a lower back disability, and a bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, neck disability, low back disability, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, iritis, allergies, nephrolithiasis, erectile dysfunction, and lip rash are all granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee and right ankle disabilities, as well as his request for an increased rating for right foot pes planus, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Board will consider these issues after further development.

The Veteran's low back disorder and bilateral lumbar radiculopathy are service-connected as secondary to his right knee disability. However, the left knee disorder is not service-connected.,Service connection has been granted for bilateral lumbar radiculopathy but denied for a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since March 24, 2014. The VA examinations noted functional loss due to pain but no other compensable limitations.

The Board has denied all claims for increased ratings, finding that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a ruptured left ear and that his service-connected disabilities do not warrant higher initial disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 31, 2009 for the award of service connection for PTSD, status post right knee ACL and meniscus tears, and right knee instability is granted. The effective date for a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD has been changed to June 20, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, neck disorder, knee disorders, hip disorders, and hand disorders are all granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, and hypertension. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his right and left knee disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, and is not related to service. The Board also determined that the right knee disability is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the right knee disability rated at 10 percent. The issues of rating his flexion limitation and instability are also resolved in his favor.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection due to inadequate reasons and bases, as well as internal inconsistencies in the March 2013 VA examination. The Veteran's right knee, bilateral hip, and lumbar spine disabilities are being evaluated with respect to their secondary nature.