Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a left knee disability and granted service connection based on new evidence. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ankle disability remain pending.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain additional medical records and personnel records, as well as to provide the Veteran with a comprehensive examination. The claims for service connection will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for a left knee disorder, hypertension, or esophageal disorders. The Veteran's current conditions are deemed to be unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain, upper respiratory disorder (hay fever and seasonal allergies), right knee disability, and left knee disability are all denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for the entire list of issues presented. The Board found no evidence to support service connection for any conditions, and the ratings assigned were deemed appropriate based on the current functional impairment.

The Veteran's Bell's palsy, bilateral pes planus, hemorrhoids, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder were not found to be related to service. The Board determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder did not manifest during active service.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for the year beginning August 1, 2013, and concluding on July 31, 2014 is being remanded due to uncertainty regarding the type of knee brace used during this period.

The Veteran's initial claims for service connection for a left hip disability, right knee disability, and left foot disability were denied in January 2007. New evidence received since then has been found to be new and material, reopening the claims.,PTSD was rated as 50 percent disabling prior to April 14, 2015, and is now rated as 70 percent disabling after that date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability. The right knee disability claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence and incomplete VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee with early osteoarthritis of the medial compartment is granted, as it was initially denied in December 1991 and later reopened on November 30, 2007.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional development to include a request for updated VA medical treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, right shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, patellofemoral pain syndrome with mild patellar subluxation of the left knee, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include posttraumatic stress disorder), and contact dermatitis. The VA examiner found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to show that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction existed prior to service, but opined that it was less likely than not incurred in or caused by his period of active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities are related to his active military service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, including difficulty maintaining effective work and social relationships. The VA assigned a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD as of June 21, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, which became 100% disabling on November 7, 2011, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to that date. However, his other service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined effect.

The Veteran's increased ratings for her left knee chondromalacia patella and right knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis were granted, but the rating for the latter condition was increased to 20% effective May 4, 2012.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease, has been rated at 10 percent since November 15, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as the Veteran's military personnel file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle/foot, right knee, and left knee disorders are not related to his military service.