Knee decisions — 2016

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, and bilateral knee arthritis. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing direct service connection or any other valid theory of entitlement.

For the entire appeal period, the Veteran's left knee symptomatology has been attributed solely to his nonservice-connected left total knee replacement, secondary to degenerative joint disease, and his service-connected traumatic bursitis does not result in functional impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability (other than dyshidrosis) was not incurred or aggravated during his period of service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability due to aggravation during service. The claim for a right leg disability is pending and requires further evaluation.

The Board finds that the appellant's left knee degenerative joint disease, resulting in a total knee arthroplasty, is service-connected as it was aggravated during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).,Service connection for a left hip disorder is denied as there is no evidence to support its secondary relationship to the appellant's pre-existing left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left leg condition, diagnosed as neuropathy due to femoral nerve compression and post-herniorrhaphy neuralgia, is proximately due to his service-connected left inguinal hernia. Therefore, the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of traumatic brain injury, manifested by headaches, is granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and chronic disabilities of the knees and ankles are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hand and wrist tenosynovitis is not currently shown, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's knee and back disorders are being remanded for further examination and development. The Board will consider the merits of his claims after obtaining necessary records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's asthma, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis have been granted service connection. The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish service connection for the other conditions listed.

The Veteran's knee disability was previously rated at 10% prior to March 27, 2007. Effective from March 27, 2007, the disability is rated at 20%. The current rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran is entitled to reimbursement of $3,200 for bathroom remodeling under the Independent Living Services Program (ILLP) as part of her Vocational Rehabilitation plan. The HISA grant was approved and paid by VA, allowing the Veteran to independently shower.

The Veteran's IBS with GERD and Crohn's colitis disability was rated at 60 percent prior to December 1, 2015. From that date onwards, the rating for her gastrointestinal disorder increased to 60 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for depressive disorder and left knee degenerative joint disease, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The AOJ will schedule the Veteran for additional examinations and readjudicate the claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right sciatic nerve paralysis and other conditions, contributed substantially to his death from an intracranial hemorrhage. As a result, the appeal is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including colitis, thoracic scoliosis, low back pain, polyarthritis of bilateral elbows and knees (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis), nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), a disability manifested by loss of balance, difficulty walking, standing, sitting, dehydration, suppressed immune system, and extreme fatigue due to Remicade infusion, pancreatitis, and restless leg syndrome. The effective date for these service connection decisions is not specified.