Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's right knee DJD was rated at 10% prior to March 11, 2014 and increased to 20% thereafter.,Prior to December 8, 2010, the Veteran's arthritis of the right hand was rated at 10%, but from that date it is rated at 40%. The left hand arthritis remains at 10%.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification on whether any service-connected disability contributed to the Veteran's death. The appellant asserts that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea caused or materially contributed to his cause of death.

The Veteran's left knee disability is found to be at least as likely as not aggravated by service.,The Veteran's low back disability is found to be at least as likely as not incurred during active duty for training.

The Veteran's left knee disability was found to not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent or a separate compensable evaluation for left knee effusion and degenerative joint disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as patellofemoral syndrome, is not related to his in-service injury and therefore denied service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including preparation of an SOC and scheduling a Board hearing.

The Board finds that the overpayment of educational assistance benefits in the amount of $5259.00 is invalid due to VA's administrative error and grants the Veteran's request for waiver of this overpayment.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected post-operative residuals, tear of the right popliteal artery and vein. However, the left knee disability did not manifest during active military service nor within one year of service separation, and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected post-operative residuals, tear of the right popliteal artery and vein.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee and bilateral hip disabilities are not related to his active service or a service-connected condition. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology, nor is there any medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis with total knee arthroplasty and left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied increased ratings for right knee disability and left finger disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms or limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities warrant a rating of 20 percent for arthritis and frequent locking, pain, and effusion into the joint, as well as a separate rating of 10 percent for lateral instability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for a sleep disorder and the current severity of the Veteran's left knee, right knee, and left foot disabilities. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied higher ratings for painful and limited motion of the right and left knees, but granted separate 10 percent ratings for instability and subluxation in both knees.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and development of evidence related to his right knee disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for bilateral knee disability, bruxism (TMJ), migraine/headaches, tinnitus, and a gastrointestinal (GI) disability as they are related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The RO denied service connection for hypertension, migraine headaches, right and left knee arthralgia, right and left wrist pain, sinusitis, and residuals of fracture, right leg based on findings that no current disability was shown.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, as well as further development of the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing and obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of hypertension, and the Veteran did not have a compensable disability at any time during the appeal period.