Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that there is no longer a case or controversy with respect to the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 29, 2006, for a combined 100 percent disability rating. The issues have been dismissed as moot due to the finding of CUE in the July 1985 rating decision.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected left knee disability was denied as the combined disability rating for disabilities of the left lower extremity exceeded the maximum allowed by law.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DJD of both knees is not service connected, but her hypertension is found to be service-connected on a secondary basis due to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The claim of secondary service connection for bilateral knee arthritis is remanded as the opinion provided does not address this issue.

The Veteran's left total knee replacement has resulted in pain but no chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness. The current disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to any decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee disorders are not related to service, and therefore denied her claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left lower extremity and left knee disorders were not related to his active military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee arthritis is secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability, and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to a lack of service treatment records from the Veteran's October 1990 to April 1991 period of active service, including his deployment in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an effective date prior to August 28, 2007 were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's disability picture did not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional development regarding the Veteran's right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder (meniscal degeneration) and denied service connection for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's left knee disorder is found to have its onset during active duty, while his allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for service connection as there is no evidence of an in-service event or diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his PTSD and allergic rhinitis do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for right knee disorder is granted as new and material evidence was submitted, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied due to lack of in-service noise exposure and no causal relationship established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including consideration of service connection claims and obtaining a VA examination to assess the relationship between his claimed disabilities and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.