Knee decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent, as there was no evidence of limitation of flexion to 45 degrees or extension limited to 10 degrees. The current 10 percent rating adequately reflects his symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have its onset in service, and the Board finds that service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is found to be related to his service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral knee disability or right ear hearing loss disability due to lack of evidence showing a link between current disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder, hip, and knee disorders have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues prior to a decision being made by the Board.

Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran's residuals of right knee partial medial and lateral meniscectomy have been rated at 20 percent for dislocated semilunar cartilage with locking, pain, and effusion into the joint. The Board found that this rating is appropriate as it best represents his symptoms throughout the appeal period.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evidentiary development, including up-to-date examinations of his left thumb and left knee.

The Veteran's claim for increased compensation for his left knee disability, as well as the separate ratings for instability and scar associated with the left knee disability, have been granted. The effective date of these decisions is March 10, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine, left hip, and right knee disabilities are proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the Houston RO. The issues of service connection for depression, unspecified hip pain, and a right knee condition are still pending.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for hearing loss, chest pain, left and right knee disabilities, and PTSD. The evidence received since the June 2007 rating decision is new and material as it relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability with lateral instability and degenerative joint disease of the left knee prior to August 20, 2014 were denied as there was no evidence of more than slight instability or significant arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, right arm and headache/dizziness disabilities, back and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's bilateral hip, hand, and elbow disabilities are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral knee and low back disabilities, as they are not related to his active duty or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are related to service due to continuous symptoms since separation from active duty.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to or caused by her service-connected right hip and low back disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during his period of service, and he is granted service connection.,For both the right and left knee chondromalacia disabilities, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or instability.