Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for evaluations of his psychiatric disorders, lumbar strain, right ring and little finger degenerative joint disease, left shoulder tendonitis, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left ankle strain, and left foot plantar fasciitis from February 1, 2010 to September 6, 2011 were denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as 'other specified trauma and stressor related disorder,' has been rated at 50 percent since March 11, 2009. The disability is characterized by symptoms such as anger, irritability, depression, concentration problems, suicidal and homicidal ideation, impairment of relationships with others, resulting in deficiencies in most areas.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, is not related to service and thus denied for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service and have denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine disorder. However, there is no evidence of a current right knee disability and the VA examiner opined that any right knee symptoms are likely due to age and everyday use rather than service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability, cervical spine disability, hepatitis, left knee disability and back disability. The decision found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate any of these claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal should be remanded for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's lichen planus is found to be service-connected due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection for right knee disability, eye disability, and back disability remains pending as the issue was not fully developed.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for higher ratings in several of his service-connected conditions, including hypertension, lumbar disc disease with narrowing at L5-S1, left knee arthritis with total knee arthroplasty, and right knee arthritis. The Board is dismissing these appeals due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for preparation of an SOC and consideration of his claims, including TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and back and knee conditions, require regular aid and attendance of another person due to his inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, attend to the wants of nature, and perform daily activities with coordination issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent rating for his right knee disability is denied as the finality of the December 1990 rating decision cannot be overcome without clear evidence of error, and there is no indication that new and material evidence was submitted within a year of the decision. The Veteran did not file any claims or have any pending claims until March 2007.

The Veteran does not have a permanent total service-connected disability, and therefore does not meet the criteria for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 of Title 38 U.S.C.A.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% disability rating for his right knee disability was denied as there is no evidence of increase in severity prior to the October 2009 claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his lumbar spine arthritis with left leg numbness and left knee arthritis conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, have rendered him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial compensable ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed the remaining claims due to lack of appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is not secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee disability and denied both her claim for service connection and her TDIU claim.