Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected left knee strain aggravated his right knee disability. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination and opinion.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for the right knee disability from February 4, 2010 to March 2, 2010. The temporary total evaluation based on treatment for a service-connected condition requiring convalescence was also granted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for headaches, COPD (claimed as emphysema and lungs), and bilateral knee disability. The new evidence received since the final decisions does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a request for a DRO hearing, and no steps have been taken to address this request. The case is now returned to the Board.

The Board has remanded the case due to unavailability of service treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his cerebrospinal meningitis residuals and any bilateral knee condition, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions. The AOJ will also obtain all relevant medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 18, 2012.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's left knee disability existed prior to service, but also could not establish aggravation of a pre-existing condition during service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found no evidence of current right hand or left knee conditions related to the Veteran's in-service shrapnel injuries.,Service connection for residuals of a shrapnel injury to the right hand and left knee was denied as there is insufficient medical evidence linking present symptoms to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to July 22, 2013 and from September 1, 2014.

The Veteran's right knee disability, other than limitation of flexion, is currently rated at 20 percent and the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of flexion has been denied.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a right knee disorder and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee arthritis and subluxation, as well as his claim for TDIU, were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the diagnoses and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically addressing whether they are related to service or secondary to his service-connected right ankle sprain.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's stomach disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right shoulder condition, Graves disease, knee conditions, COPD, sleep apnea, or chest syndrome to service. The Veteran's GERD was attributed to a known clinical diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The RO reduced the ratings for chondromalacia patella of the left and right knees from 20 percent to zero percent effective August 1, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings and TDIU was granted, with a combined rating of at least 70% for his service-connected disabilities. SMC based on housebound status is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee arthritis with limitation of motion is granted, while the claims for service connection and reopening are also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee patellar tendonitis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as his chronic right foot plantar fasciitis, are related to service. The decision is in favor of granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder was not addressed as it is not related to the issues on appeal.,Service connection for epididymitis was also denied.