Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased evaluations of his right acoustic neuroma with bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus and right knee disabilities. Additionally, he seeks service connection for pes planus, dizziness, headaches, eczema and bilateral eye disorders. The Board has determined that the issues need to be remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year postservice.,Service connection for residuals of a right great toe injury (gout and arthritis) is denied because the current disability does not have a link to an acute injury in service, which resolved without residual pathology.,Retinitis pigmentosa is not service-connected as there is no evidence that it was manifested during service or within one year postservice.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as he does not have a current hearing disability of sufficient severity to constitute a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee and ankle conditions are not related to his service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand this case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and clarifying the nature of the Veteran's right knee disorder.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee was productive of extension limited to 15 degrees from April 9, 2010, to May 4, 2015, warranting a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board denied higher disability ratings for bilateral knee arthritis and instability, finding that the current 20 percent ratings adequately compensate the Veteran for his limitation of motion, pain, and functional limitations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees, finding that there is no evidence to support a secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and heart disability. The appeal for service connection of the bilateral hip disability was not addressed as it is no longer on appeal due to the Court's remand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability and sleep disability were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and needs further medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for sleep apnea, and service connection for a stroke are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the appellant's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's left hip disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, considering his complete and relevant medical history.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, skin disability, hypertension, and low back disability. The decision found no current diagnosis of these conditions prior to or during the pendency of the claim, and there was insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed disabilities to military service.

The Veteran's GERD/hiatal hernia has been granted a 10 percent evaluation, and further development is needed to determine if he is entitled to an even higher evaluation. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for the right knee disability and service connection for upper back and left knee conditions are also addressed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disability did not manifest during military service, was not caused by a disease or injury while on active duty, and is not due to a service-connected disability including his right knee disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left knee disability must be denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of Persian Gulf claims.

The Veteran's back disability (lumbosacral strain) is service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral knee disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension is not granted.

The VA examiner determined that the appellant's bilateral knee disability is not related to his active service and was likely caused by post-service wear and tear.