Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining SSA and VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, right leg disability (including as secondary to right knee and ankle osteoarthritis), and respiratory disorder. The decision also found that the current ratings for right knee and ankle osteoarthritis were appropriate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease is proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability, left knee disability, and left ankle disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred on August 11, 2009 is denied as the treatment was not rendered in an emergency situation and there were feasible VA options available.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right knee osteoarthritis and residuals of a right shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation prior to May 8, 2012 were denied as there was no evidence showing that the conditions warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence establishing a link between the Veteran's current bilateral knee degenerative joint disease and his military service or any service-connected disability. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for low back disability, chest pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left shoulder disability, arthritis, bilateral knee disabilities, left ankle injury, and psychiatric disability. The appeals are now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a current right knee disorder that is less likely than not caused by or related to an injury in service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis has been withdrawn. The TDIU claim is part and parcel of the right knee disability claim, which remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and development of records, including SSA disability benefits information. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, headache, and right knee disabilities are in dispute.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is service-connected, but his right leg disorder is not. The appeal for non-service connected pension was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disability and consideration of his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle calcaneal spurs and left knee instability have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 20 percent evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no objective evidence of sinusitis, epididymitis, onychomycosis, left knee disability or left shoulder disability. The Veteran's current conditions are not presumed due to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a left knee disability or low back disability that is related to service, including as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's vision loss in the left eye was also denied.

The Veteran's arthritis, including of the feet, legs, back, shoulder, and hands, was not shown during service or for many years thereafter. The Board finds that there is no causal connection between the Veteran's service and his current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral vision loss, bilateral foot arthritis, left knee arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and left hand arthritis are not related to service. The Veteran's current conditions have been diagnosed as a result of post-service treatment and do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the impact of the Veteran's service-connected joint disabilities on his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.