Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral knee replacements, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service. The current conditions are less likely than not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and knee disabilities did not begin during service or are otherwise related to his military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board found that there is no indication of instability or injury to the semilunar cartilage in either knee, and thus denied a separate compensable rating for a bilateral knee disability based on instability or injury to the semilunar cartilage.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a liver disability (claimed as a fatty liver) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current folliculitis is incurred during active service and granted service connection for this condition. The other issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess her right knee disability and the current severity of her service-connected left knee meniscus tear and bilateral lower extremity stress fractures.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been granted. The Board finds that her current depression disability may be related to her military experiences, including witnessing injuries and deaths during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection and disability ratings for various conditions, including restless leg syndrome, bilateral knee disorders, infertility, a lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and scars. The appeals are currently pending due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a video conference hearing. The original claim of service connection for her right knee disability will be reviewed de novo considering the additional evidence received.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The Veteran's major depression is rated at 50% since October 2011, with a GAF score of 65.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right sacroiliac joint dysfunction with chronic low back strain and any relationship between this condition and his bilateral knee disability and left lower extremity neurologic disorder. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, porphyria cutanea tarda, back disability, stress fracture of the right third metatarsal, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other conditions are not supported by evidence showing a current disability. His claim for right ear hearing loss is denied as he does not meet VA criteria for a finding of disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat foot (pes planus) and plantar fasciitis. The remaining issues of service connection for left knee condition, hypertension, myocardial ischemia/infarction, right knee arthritis, sleep apnea, and left shoulder condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected conditions are being remanded to allow for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities have been granted, with a combined rating of 20 percent.

The Board denied all issues on appeal, including service connection for various conditions and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability. The Veteran's left knee was found to have limited flexion but no extension limitation.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability, bilateral knee and low back disabilities as secondary to the left ankle disability, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his eligibility for an annual clothing allowance based on use of a knee brace. The Chief Medical Director or designee must determine if the knee brace meets the criteria for a clothing allowance.