Knee decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee DJD and peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities are not etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected conditions did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 30 percent from February 13, 2008, forward.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim can be decided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an opinion regarding the etiology of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left knee disability to account for his symptoms and finds no evidence of service connection or aggravation of an existing condition. The claim is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or loss of use of upper or lower extremities, blindness in both eyes, anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands, deep partial or full thickness or subdermal burns, or residuals of an inhalation injury. Therefore, he is not entitled to specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his bilateral knee and foot disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an orthopedic examination of the Veteran's right knee.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted.,Further examinations and medical records are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed eczema, right knee disorder, and scar, middle forehead.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his claim based on updated evidence.

The Veteran's asthma disability is presumed to have existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The Board denied the remaining claims for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to inconsistencies in his hearing examination and a need for further evaluation of his right knee condition. The Veteran will be provided with additional VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral knee, left ankle, or skin disabilities. The evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, including as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine and sciatic nerve paralysis disabilities, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's right ankle disability. The claim for TDIU is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification on whether the Veteran's reports of knee problems prior to 1990 were considered in rendering the opinion. The claims are currently pending and will be readjudicated after further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, left hand disorder, and right knee disorder. The claim for left knee disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on their current functional limitations. The claims for higher ratings are denied as the evidence does not show that the conditions meet or approximate the criteria for any of the higher rating levels.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee is found to be etiologically related to service, and therefore service connection is granted.