Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is less likely as not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance was denied as his right knee braces and skin cream did not cause wear or tear to his clothing, nor did the use of a cane. The evidence does not support the Veteran's assertions that his clothes were ruined by these items.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a new VA medical opinion to clarify whether his right knee condition is related to service or if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left and/or right ankle disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the June 1975 rating decision that denied service connection for Osgood Schlatter's disease of the left knee, thus granting service connection as if it was granted then. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen a previously denied claim is rendered moot by this finding.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by flexion limited to 105 degrees without ankylosis or instability, is rated at the lowest possible non-compensable level.

The Board denied service connection for a recurrent right knee disorder and denied entitlement to TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of a right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder is not related to his military service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to missing service treatment records and a need for further development. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered after all available evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's right knee disability was not more than 10 percent disabling prior to January 12, 2010. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, right knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and myasthenia gravis. The evidence submitted since the April 2006 rating decision did not provide new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral knee disorder. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records and an addendum to the August 2009 VA examination.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disabilities, and additional treatment records are needed for consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was granted, but the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6522. Service connection for bilateral knee disorders, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea were also denied.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome with chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, effective December 9, 2011. The left knee condition remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and sleep apnea. The case will be remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right hip, thigh, or knee disability and finds no causal connection between any diagnosed condition and service. As such, the claims for these disabilities are denied.