Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine disorder and left knee disability were denied. However, he was granted a separate initial rating of 20 percent for meniscal damage in the left knee.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities are not secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions were more likely related to normal aging changes rather than the service-connected condition.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, psychiatric, right hip, and right knee disabilities as secondary to residuals of a left medial malleolus fracture.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and knee disabilities, to include as secondary to a service-connected right foot disability, were denied. The Board found no evidence of current right hip or knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for hypertension was withdrawn. The effective date of the increased rating for hypertension is set at December 4, 2009.

The Veteran's post-operative right knee disability is not entitled to a temporary total rating under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.30, and his claims for separate compensable evaluations and TDIU are denied.

The Board found that the evidence received since the May 1978 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a chronic left knee disability.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are not related to service, and his low back and left knee disorders did not manifest within one year of discharge from service.,His current low back disorder is not linked to service or a service-connected condition. His left knee disorder was also not linked to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease was manifested by x-ray evidence of degenerative changes, along with painful motion and limitation of motion. The current rating for the disability is 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bronchitis and residuals of a bone graft from the right iliac crest has been granted. The claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability and permanent total disability rating for chronic kidney disease were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 60 percent for postoperative residuals of the right knee with degenerative joint disease was maintained.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in audiometric test results and internal inconsistency of a VA examiner's statements regarding the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, left knee disability, and migraine headaches have been denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a current service-connected condition for hypertension or any other conditions related to the issues raised.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current knee, shoulder, and elbow disabilities to service. The claims were denied as there was insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the disabilities and service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all ten issues of service connection. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these matters.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, but finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression as secondary to her service-connected left knee disability was reopened and granted.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) as secondary to her service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the ratings for right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left knee disability was found to be aggravated by service, and he is now granted service connection for this condition. The issue of increased rating for lumbar degenerative disease remains pending. Service connection for PTSD is also pending.