Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome has not been manifested by flexion limited to 45 degrees or extension limited to 10 degrees. There is no evidence of recurrent subluxation, lateral instability, or meniscus disorder.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board finds that the Veteran has current peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, but there is no evidence of a right knee disability due to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability and for additional development, including obtaining private medical records.

The Veteran's tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction are all found to have their onset in service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's right and left knee disorders as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed conditions, including his claimed lumbar and cervical spine disorders, bilateral hand and shoulder conditions, bilateral knee and hip disorders, are at least as likely as not related to service. The appeal is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and back disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or service-connected hypertension. The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran is granted initial evaluations of 10 percent for left knee strain and 30 percent for migraine headaches.,Both conditions are evaluated based on their direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including right and left ankle disorders, hip disorders, upper extremity disorders, leg disorders, neck disorder, back disorder, and headaches. The appeal includes claims of secondary service connection.,The Veteran seeks service connection for surgical complications of a pregnancy that occurred prior to her entry into active duty.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and her major depressive disorder is not service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and scars (bilateral knee) are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further evidentiary development, including obtaining VA treatment records from North Texas Healthcare System and ensuring all pertinent treatment records are associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as status post total knee arthroplasty for degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 60 percent due to severe painful motion or weakness.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional action, including requesting National Guard service treatment and personnel records from any appropriate sources.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his right leg and right knee disabilities, finding that there was no new evidence to reopen the case or establish a current disability related to active duty.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of his claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, back disability, and right ankle disability is being remanded due to issues related to obtaining medical examinations and opinions. The VA will need to obtain records from SSA and schedule appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of active, chronic Lyme disease warranting a 100% rating and denied an increased rating for patellofemoral syndrome of both knees.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining missing documents and VA treatment records, as well as SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if he suffers from current bilateral arm, knee, lumbar spine, hepatitis C, and skin conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. Service connection claims for various conditions are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is proximately due to or caused by his service-connected knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of evidence related to the veteran's right knee disabilities.