Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for TMJ, but denied the remaining claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and hip disabilities due to incomplete development of the record, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging a VA examination.

The Veteran's reduction from a 10 percent evaluation to noncompensable for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was not proper, and his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and granted service connection for a psychiatric disability (depressive disorder). The Veteran's right knee disorder is not considered to be related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, and he is now rated at 10 percent for his left knee disability. The appeal regarding the rating of the left knee has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have led to his inability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU effective January 31, 2013.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher initial rating. The left knee disability remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee condition did not manifest during service and is not etiologically related to his in-service combat injury. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's degenerative changes in the right knee are more likely due to aging and occupation, rather than a connection to his combat injury.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that both conditions are as likely as not caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's in-service injury to his left knee.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left hip, and back conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim. The issues include service connection for left ankle disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome in service or within one year after discharge, residuals of a bilateral mandible fracture are not manifested by reduction in range of motion, displacement of the mandible, and loss of masticatory function, chondromalacia patella with degenerative joint disease of the left knee is not manifested by limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or less, limitation of extension to 5 degrees or more, ankylosis, subluxation or lateral instability, dislocation of semilunar cartilage, symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage, malunion of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum. The chondromalacia patella with degenerative joint disease of the right knee is not manifested by limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or less, limitation of extension to 5 degrees or more, ankylosis, subluxation or lateral instability, dislocation of semilunar cartilage, symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage, malunion of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and left knee disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the latter claim. The decision also noted that VA had not provided a medical opinion regarding the relevance of in-service high blood pressure readings.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities were denied as there is no current disability found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran seeks a clothing allowance for wear and tear on his clothing due to service-connected conditions (low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and skin disability) and topical medication use. The issue is being held in abeyance until other pending claims are adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left, right knee disorders or low back disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 24, 1998, for right ankle DJD in July 2006. The decision was based on the correct facts and application of law at that time.

The Veteran does not have a current low back, right knee, or bilateral ankle disability as a result of any disease, event, or injury during active service.,VA examinations and the Veteran's own testimony indicate that his disabilities are more likely due to aging/degenerative processes rather than in-service parachute jumps.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.