Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's right knee retropatellar pain syndrome has not been manifested by flexion limited to 45 degrees or any limitation of extension, including due to pain or following repetitive motion. The criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back, hearing loss, Achilles tendon, and knee disabilities were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the ratings and issues for right chondromalacia of the patella, right knee torn meniscus, left chondromalacia of the patella, right knee instability, and left knee instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The VA examiner found no evidence to support a current mental health diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination. The issues are whether the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hand disability was reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran has current diagnoses of carpal tunnel syndrome, which is related to his military service. However, the knee and foot disabilities have not been evaluated due to lack of evidence or examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disabilities have been rated as noncompensable prior to September 26, 2013. The appeal for higher ratings is granted.,Effective September 26, 2013, the Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations to reassess his spine disability and determine if a right knee disability is related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability. However, it denied his claims of service connection for COPD and asbestosis/asbestos exposure-related disease due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran appeals for an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, which was granted in July 2011. The appeal is remanded to refer the case to the Director, Compensation Service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for herpes simplex keratitis is granted. The initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected right knee disability remains denied.

The Veteran's muscle condition, low back disability, right knee disability, and index finger disability are not service connected. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his current bilateral knee disability is related to his military service, including his active duty in Iraq and Army National Guard service. The VA medical opinions provided did not establish a link between the Veteran's current condition and his service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to ambiguity in the VA examiner's opinion regarding whether any right knee disorders manifested prior to total knee replacement had their onset in service or were caused by active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is causally related to his service-connected right ankle disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disorder, back disorder, bilateral foot condition, and lung disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.