Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and service connection were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 20 percent was upheld for the left ankle disability, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other manifestations warranting a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board has not yet issued a statement of the case on the issues of entitlement to earlier effective dates for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability was denied, as the evidence did not show any additional limitation in range of motion or instability beyond what is contemplated by a 10% rating. The service connection claim for low back disability was also denied due to lack of probative evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee and left knee conditions, as well as her ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to these disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after the examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral chondromalacia, status-post surgeries, is related to her military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to service for which he can be granted service connection. The preponderance of evidence is against his claim.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability in service and insufficient continuity of symptomatology to establish service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and is therefore dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse, joint pain, or right knee degenerative joint disease. The claim for service connection for migraine headaches is denied as there is no evidence linking the Veteran's symptoms to his active duty service. Service connection for hypertension is denied due to lack of medical evidence establishing its onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that Agent Orange exposure, in and of itself, is not a disability subject to service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and right knee disorders. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide a VA examination regarding the left hip disorder, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, headache disability, and sleep apnea are all service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and persists to this day, granting service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot gout as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral patellar tendinitis (jumper's knee), bilateral shin splints, and elbow osteoarthritis. The remaining claims of service connection for sleep apnea, TBI including headaches and seizures, and a disorder of the thoracic and/or lumbar spine are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, back disorder, neck disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. However, the Veteran's military service is not shown to have aggravated his pre-existing left ear hearing loss or caused any of these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis has been rated as 10 percent disabling, with separate ratings for instability and removal of meniscus. The Veteran's left hand disorder claim was withdrawn by the Veteran.,A rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted for chronic lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees are denied as there is no evidence showing limitation of extension to 15 degrees or limitation of flexion to 30 degrees prior to July 30, 2013.