Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to address the etiology of various conditions. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Veteran does not have a current bilateral ear disorder, claimed as bilateral ear infections.,There is no evidence of a right knee injury or disease incurred in service. The current right knee strain is considered to be unrelated to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right ankle disability has been granted, with a current rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for right and left knee strains, as well as his instability conditions, have been granted. His GERD with duodenitis has also received an increase in rating.

The Veteran's postoperative right knee disability, including arthritis and meniscus tears with limitation of motion, is currently rated at 10 percent. A separate 10 percent rating for medial-lateral instability of the right knee was granted effective from February 1, 2007 to March 23, 2008, and from July 9, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the appellant's left knee, left ankle, and migraine headache disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause him to be unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and left knee chondrocalcinosis, as these conditions may be related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's degenerative changes of the left knee are rated at 10 percent, and his erectile dysfunction is not service-connected. The Board finds that both conditions meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing at the Atlanta RO.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left knee disorder did not aggravate beyond its natural progression by his May 2010 period of ACDUTRA, and thus denied service connection for a left knee disorder. The initial rating claim for the left shoulder disability was also denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability status post replacement surgery met the criteria for a 60 percent rating from November 1, 2008, through July 10, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The issues of reopening service connection for a left knee disability, entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, and entitlement to service connection for hypertension are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee meniscus tear with arthritis, finding that the Veteran's right knee disorder caused his left knee disability. Service connection was denied for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected Hailey-Hailey disease was a contributing factor to his right leg below the knee amputation, and thus secondary service connection for this condition is granted.

The VA determined that the appellant's right knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied her claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran developed bilateral knee strain and recurrent headaches as a result of her active service, including her service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Persian Gulf War. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on October 2, 2013 at JPI were not for an emergent condition and did not meet the prudent layperson standard. Therefore, payment or reimbursement is denied.