Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, including DJD and chondromalacia, is not related to his service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the current condition is causally related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board granted service connection for costochondritis and bilateral hand disability, and increased ratings for right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities. The Veteran was also awarded a compensable rating for his hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis conditions. Service connection for the varicocele was established.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected left knee disability, including claims for back, hip, and knee disabilities. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for myopic presbyopia, right knee disability as secondary to left knee degenerative joint disease status post arthroscopic repair, and sleep apnea have been denied. The evidence submitted since the last final denial is considered cumulative or redundant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back and left knee conditions, including a lack of VA examination records. The Veteran is directed to provide updated medical records and undergo an examination if necessary.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and examining him for his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions including knee and hip arthritis, neck pain, and shoulder issues. The Board has determined that new examinations are necessary to accurately assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination regarding his right and left knees, and readjudicating the issues of service connection for knee disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, maxillary and frontal sinusitis, right knee chondromalacia, and allergic rhinitis, have rendered him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's service was not considered eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits due to his discharge being an entry level separation and not a dishonorable discharge, nor did he meet the 30-day active duty requirement.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that the conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 24, 2010 for the awards of service connection for myositis of the cervical spine, myositis of the lumbar spine, and a right knee strain. The claim for an earlier effective date for right hip bursitis is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of an inner head injury with a 10 percent rating effective August 21, 2001. The Veteran's claim is also granted for an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee strain, resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's hypertension and right knee degenerative joint disease have been rated, but the appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has granted separate evaluations of 10 percent for instability in the left and right knees, based on slight lateral instability without objective findings of instability or subluxation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was denied, and the TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show that the Veteran's left knee disability precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.