Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, back, and left leg disabilities as they are not related to active military service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for his right below the knee amputation as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD). He also seeks an increased rating for his CAD. The case is being remanded due to the need for a clarifying medical opinion and additional development of private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for left knee disability has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of increased ratings for hepatitis C, sinusitis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine are being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed conditions and thus denied service connection for all issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right upper extremity disability, bilateral hearing loss, left upper extremity disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee strain. The Veteran was also denied a compensable rating for his left axillary adenopathy with rhomboid spasm.

The Veteran's right knee disorder and right lower extremity vascular and skin disease were found to be at least as likely caused by VA treatment, but the Veteran was not entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for these conditions due to lack of fault on the part of VA. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a higher rating prior to October 23, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowance for back brace and left knee brace in 2014 and 2015 were denied as the braces are not of a type that tends to wear or tear clothing, and thus do not qualify for a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his right knee disability and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for a VA medical examination regarding whether his service-connected disabilities caused wear and tear on his clothing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee disability, asthma, and an acquired psychiatric disability are addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent since June 7, 2010 and the right knee disability is not compensable.,TDIU was granted effective October 26, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service hospital records and SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran's right knee disability claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's post-operative left total knee arthroplasty has been rated at a 60 percent disability rating since September 1, 2012.

The Veteran's left knee disability is related to service and has been granted. The psychiatric and asthma claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, hands, neck, and back. The claim for hypertension remains pending as new evidence was submitted but does not establish a direct link to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder secondary to his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee and low back disabilities are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's right knee disability is caused by his service-connected left knee disability. The Board finds that the Veteran's left leg venous disorders are related to his service-connected left knee ACL tear.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and service connection were denied. The pseudofolliculitis barbae was rated as noncompensable prior to May 6, 2015, and as 10 percent disabling from that date. The bronchitis was rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development, including new VA examinations for his right knee disability and any potential right foot disability.