Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, swelling, and giving way, has been rated at 20 percent since October 1, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right femur disorder and low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability and an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the right knee disability, and there was no indication of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 14, 2009.

The Veteran's service connection for patella-femoral pain syndrome with degenerative joint disease in both knees was granted, which qualifies him for VA healthcare.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal requires additional development and remands for a new examination, issuance of a Statement of the Case on TDIU, and readjudication of all issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with right L-5 radiculopathy were denied. The initial noncompensable disability rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee was not warranted prior to May 16, 2003, and a 10 percent rating from that date until June 25, 2010, was also not granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including his right knee, cervical and lumbar spine, bilateral shoulder, arm, hand, leg, head injury residuals, and acquired psychiatric disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preexisting conditions were determined to have existed prior to service and were not aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and insufficient reasoning in the May 2010 VA opinion. The claims for service connection are now pending.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and a pulmonary disability (claimed as bronchitis). The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The medical evidence does not support a connection between the disabilities and service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for bilateral knee disability, shoulder disability, elbow disability, wrist disability, and hip disability due to cold injury.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, heart disorder, and arthritis were denied as they are not related to service or a service-connected disability. The exposure basis was not applicable due to lack of in-service Vietnam service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since December 10, 2015, with a prior rating of 30% before that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, right Achilles tendonitis, or left Achilles tendonitis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, updating employment information, and scheduling a VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, reopening of service connection claims, and service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the right knee, detached retina, right shoulder, and bilateral hearing loss claims.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disability, but determined that there is no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg (to include left knee) disability and right foot disability, both claimed as secondary to service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee, are denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability separate from his already service-connected right peroneal nerve injury.

The Veteran's right knee DJD with torn medial and lateral menisci was granted a 10 percent rating, effective July 30, 2007. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent.