Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and increased the rating for left knee disability to 10 percent. The Veteran's sleep apnea is found not to be related to his in-service symptoms, while his left knee disability is rated based on painful motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 10% prior to February 20, 2014, and 40% thereafter. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity were each rated as 10%. His PTSD was rated as 30%, and his left leg scar was not assigned a compensable rating.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids and arthritis of the left knee are found to be service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits, finding that the earliest date of claim was June 17, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including hallux valgus, and a bilateral knee condition. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder (paranoid schizophrenia) is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted with an effective date of June 10, 2008. The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities and inability to work.

The case is REMANDED for the following actions: (1) Request all relevant medical records; (2) Schedule a VA skin examination to assess dermatographism disability; and (3) Schedule a VA right knee examination to evaluate its current severity. The RO should then readjudicate the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to determine the appropriate evaluations for his service-connected knee conditions, right shoulder disability, and right wrist disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee chondromalacia and pseudofolliculitis barbae are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's chronic myelomonocytic leukemia is related to service and the Board finds service connection is warranted. The claims for right and left knee disabilities, as well as low back disability, are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional efforts are needed to obtain the Veteran's service records and private treatment records. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination for his right knee disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment outside of a protected environment, given his occupational experience and educational background. With resolution of reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the criteria for entitlement to TDIU have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that it was less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD and right knee medial meniscal tear were both denied, with the PTSD receiving a final rating of 30 percent effective April 21, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right knee condition, and a left knee condition. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, as evidenced by his military occupational specialty and the onset of symptoms shortly after service. Service connection for this condition is granted.,Service connection for right ankle strain is denied because there is no evidence linking it to active duty service.,Service connection for left knee strain is denied due to lack of evidence connecting it to service.,Service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is denied as the Veteran's current condition does not appear related to his military service.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted because it is secondary to diabetes mellitus, a service-connected disability.,Service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as it is secondary to diabetes mellitus, a service-connected disability.,Service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted due to its relationship with the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted based on its relation to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee and foot disabilities due to his withdrawal. The remaining claims have been evaluated, but no service connection is granted as there is insufficient evidence linking any current disability to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for Parkinson's disease and granted it as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.