Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service connection claims for mitral valve prolapse, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and alopecia areata were granted. His claim for an initial compensable rating for residual scarring from a right ring finger cyst removal was also granted.

The Board has determined that the earliest possible effective date for the award of service connection is April 20, 2012. The Veteran's claim was received on this date and he did not have a pending, unadjudicated claim prior to this date.

For the initial rating period prior to June 17, 2014, the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been manifested by painful motion with normal extension, at worst, limited to 100 degrees for each knee. For the rating period beginning June 17, 2014, the criteria for a disability rating of 50 percent for each knee have been met.,For the entire initial rating period on appeal, the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have not been manifested by dislocation of the semilunar cartilage accompanied by frequent episodes of 'locking,' pain, and effusion into the joints.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right and left knees were denied as there was no evidence of moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, which is required for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and any current knee conditions are not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The right knee disability will be re-evaluated based on current symptoms and limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, characterized by pain and limited motion, has been rated at 10 percent since December 22, 2015. The current rating is based on painful motion and functional loss.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a restoration of a 30 percent rating for limitation of right knee extension, effective February 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issue on appeal is whether he should receive an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his left knee condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease was caused or aggravated by his service-connected psoriasis. The claim for a right shoulder disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis in the right shoulder and the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish a medical nexus between the current condition and military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the claims, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing and a DRO hearing. The Veteran's representative requested a travel board hearing on his behalf.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis resulted in a disability rating of 40 percent for limitation of extension, effective from the date of the decision.,A separate 10 percent disability rating was granted for right knee instability since May 16, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service-connected, but his right knee, left knee, and right arm disabilities are not.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right and left knee disorders, as well as his pulmonary disorder (including COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea, were not incurred or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion, despite complaints of pain and functional loss. The current ratings of 10% for each knee are therefore maintained.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals through his attorney.

The February 1971 rating decision did not award special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the loss of use of both feet, as it was determined that only one foot met the criteria for SMC. The Veteran's appeal is denied.

The Board found that a right knee disability was not incurred or aggravated as a result of active service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, plantar fasciitis, and bilateral knee arthritis are not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as his healed right ankle fracture with residuals of pain and locking, are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left lower fibular fracture residuals with left ankle traumatic arthritis.