Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee and left foot disabilities, including DJD, plantar fasciitis, and a calcaneal spur, to include as secondary to pes planus due to inadequate opinion regarding aggravation.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy and spondylolisthesis, as well as degenerative arthritis of both knees. The Veteran's left inguinal hernia is also service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO assigned non-compensable disability ratings for bilateral wrist tendonitis and left elbow tendonitis, effective April 21, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to his service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's left quadriceps muscle disability, hemorrhoids, and left knee scar have been rated based on the severity of their symptoms and functional impairment. The initial rating for each condition has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the remand directives with respect to the claims for left shoulder and right knee disorders were not substantially complied with due to deficiencies in the VA compensation examination opinions and rationales. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's knee braces, which are service-connected, cause wear and tear to his clothing. The Board found in favor of the Veteran due to the lack of specific medical evidence against this claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings, as well as an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected idiopathic gastroparesis, effective from the date of the May 2002 denial. The claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to an extension of the temporary total rating beyond November 30, 2010 for right knee surgery or other treatment necessitating convalescence until December 31, 2010.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to cervical spine degenerative intervertebral disc disease with left upper radiculopathy, residuals of left shoulder decompression with impingement, and bilateral knee arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee, left knee, and left hip disorders have been granted. Additionally, his migraine headaches have also been granted with a rating of 10 percent effective from May 11, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for a hearing before a different Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed low back, knee, hand, and foot disabilities on a direct basis.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle strain, left knee strain with degenerative spurring of the patella, and atrophic hole in the left retina. The rating for bilateral tinea pedis was found to be noncompensable as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The rating for hammertoe of the left 5th toe was also found to be noncompensable.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 10 percent for the service-connected right ulnar nerve disability from March 15, 2006 to June 23, 2015 and a 30 percent rating beginning June 23, 2015. The Veteran's right knee patella femoral syndrome was also found to be incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and left L5-S1 radiculopathy. The claim of service connection for a left knee disability is reopened but remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right knee degenerative joint disease have been granted service connection. The initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a video-conference hearing and addressing the issues of reopening the left knee disability claim and rating PTSD.