Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, Barrett's esophagus disorder, gastritis, and back disorder are not service-connected. The Board finds that further development is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of GERD which may be related to his in-service exposure to Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their relationship to his military service, as well as to determine the current severity of his service-connected right heel and left hip disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn, and the Board granted service connection for bilateral ankle strain. The right knee arthritis rating remains at 10 percent, prostate cancer is not service connected, and there are no effective dates provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in permanent and total disability that is due to the loss or loss of use of one or both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. The claim for specially adapted housing has been granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for left ear injury and right ear injury. The Veteran's claims for right knee chondromalacia with degenerative changes and chronic sinusitis have been granted as her symptoms are linked to her active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current cervical spine disorder or right knee disorder, and therefore service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations on multiple service-connected disabilities has been withdrawn by the Veteran, and he is currently assigned a noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of issues including service connection for various conditions, reopening of claims, and examination.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for left knee instability and loss of extension have been granted, both currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to incomplete development, including failure to adjudicate certain referred issues. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, little finger, and knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is not productive of actual or functional extension limited to 10 degrees, actual or functional flexion limited to 30 degrees, recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, ankylosis, dislocated cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint, impairment of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum. Therefore, his claim for a higher initial evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities have been denied. The VA has not provided a rating in excess of the current assigned disability ratings.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, left ankle, right knee with degenerative changes, and left knee conditions do not meet or approximate criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran is currently entitled to a 10 percent rating for his service-connected right knee disability due to limited extension, and an additional 10 percent rating based on painful flexion. These ratings are effective from August 31, 2006.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the ratings in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and for status post lumbar laminectomy and discectomy of L5-S1 with chronic pain syndrome and right leg radiculopathy, excluding periods of temporary 100 percent ratings.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral knee disorder. The Board has determined that the current examination and evidence do not fully address her claim, particularly regarding in-service treatment and symptoms.

The Board found that the appellant's current bilateral knee disability and arthritis were not incurred during his active duty service, and denied these claims. The claim for fibromyalgia was also denied as there are no records available from Dr. A.S.

The Board denied service connection for right hip and knee disorders, metallic fragments in the left chest, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant a compensable evaluation, and his claims for other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's residuals of injury to the left knee are manifested by pain, stiffness, and occasional instability. However, his range of motion is limited to no worse than 120 degrees flexion and 10 degrees extension with no additional limitations on repetitive motion. The VA examiners found no instability or laxity during testing.