Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her service treatment records, specifically from the Oakland Naval Regional Medical Center and Tripler Army Hospital. The AOJ will conduct a thorough search for these records and provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee condition related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for cold injury residuals of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran's left knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including a cognitive disorder, organic anxiety disorder, and dementia), and hearing loss are all related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a bilateral knee disability, and thus the Veteran does not meet the first criterion for service connection. As such, the claim must be denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is found to be aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. His left knee disability, characterized by limitation of flexion and painful motion, warrants a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities did not warrant ratings higher than 10 percent throughout the period on appeal, as her range of motion was consistently within normal limits and she did not experience additional functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed back, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities did not have onset during active service or within one year of service discharge. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right lower extremity varicose veins and knee strains were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including providing the Veteran with a VA examination and ensuring compliance with its April 2014 remand instructions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, strep throat, right knee cyst, left inguinal hernia, chronic right foot disorder (gout or bunion), and chronic left foot disorder (gout or bunion) as well as respiratory disorders. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the current severity of service-connected right knee disability, including functional loss due to flare-ups and pain. The Veteran will also receive a Supplemental Statement of the Case after all development is completed.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to inadequate medical examination and need for further development regarding service connection claims for back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the award of service connection and assignment of a 10 percent rating for left knee medial meniscus tear with instability is August 19, 1997.

The Board has remanded the increased rating claim for the lumbar spine disability and the right knee disability issue due to ambiguities in the Court's Order. The Veteran is also required to provide new evidence for his sleep apnea claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee and right fifth finger disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss of use of either foot or hand, and therefore he does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for automobile and adaptive equipment.