Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's skin cancer is related to his active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as he has been gainfully employed throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his knee and foot conditions, as well as asthma. The Board has remanded these matters for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease. The claim for right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently denied, but service connection for asthma has been granted. The left knee disability remains at a noncompensable rating and the scars of both feet are rated as 10 percent each.

The Board previously granted an increased schedular rating of 20 percent for service-connected right shoulder dislocation prior to September 19, 2013. The Veteran is now seeking an extraschedular evaluation for his right shoulder dislocation.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and effective date were granted, with a combined 100% rating effective March 21, 2014.

The Board finds that the Veteran's nail fungus, left hand is related to service and grants service connection. The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability, right knee disability, right wrist disability, right foot disability, right hip disability, toenail fungus, or varicose veins that are related to his military service.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an examination to determine the nature and etiology of her right knee disability, as well as evaluating her left knee chondromalacia patella, flat feet, and right ankle instability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including degenerative joint disease and a medial meniscus tear, is currently rated based on its functional limitations. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and a loose body, was rated at 20 percent for instability. The Board denied an increased rating as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on instability or limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine, and thus, a rating in excess of 40 percent is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, rating higher than 50 percent for depressive disorder not otherwise specified, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee, foot, and shoulder conditions are granted based on exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board found no evidence of direct service connection for the Veteran's musculoskeletal disabilities, including DJD and knee/low back conditions. The claim was denied as there is insufficient medical evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition is etiologically related to active service and granted service connection. The initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and his representative prior to any decision being made by the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's current left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability and psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), both secondary to the residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI).