Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left knee disability and granted it. The Veteran's psychiatric disability is not service connected, but he was found to have major depressive disorder. The right side numbness claim is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with other service-connected conditions, has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since April 13, 2009. The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective from that date, and also granted TDIU based on the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his left knee condition has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran's right knee status post ACL repair with residuals and degenerative joint disease are granted service connection. The claim for a sleep disorder is remanded as the VA examination was inadequate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot, left foot, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are all service-connected.,The Veteran's low back disability and cervical spine disability were also found to be service-connected.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for back and left knee disabilities, but the case is being remanded to obtain updated treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to November 1, 2011 and increased to 20 percent from that date.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee degenerative arthritis is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis with meniscal tear and chondromalacia patella, is related to an injury sustained during active duty service. As such, the claim for service connection for a right knee disability is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his claims of entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent for a lumbar spine disability and a left knee disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right inguinal hernia and left knee disability, finding new and material evidence. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an anal fissure/fistula, Crohn's disease, and residuals of a colon resection have been denied.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for generalized anxiety disorder, patellofemoral pain syndrome with arthritis in the right knee, and patellofemoral pain syndrome with arthritis in the left knee are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee sprain, left ankle sprain, and chronic residuals of a fracture of the left little finger are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee is being remanded due to a lack of sufficient medical records and further examination is needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DJD of the knees and Barrett's esophagus with gastritis were granted, with a rating of 30 percent for Barrett's esophagus with gastritis.

The Board found that the Veteran's back, left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities do not warrant higher initial ratings. The claims for increased ratings of dyssomnia, onychomycosis of the feet, and acne were denied as a matter of law.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral knee disability, hypertension, bilateral shoulder disability, and sleep apnea, were not service-connected as they did not have their onset in or were not caused by his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right hip, left hip, and lower back disabilities, did not originate in service or until years after service. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his active duty.