Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's stroke is not attributable to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or in-service ear infections.,The Veteran's right knee disorder is not etiologically related to his period of service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left hip or left knee disorders, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and GERD with esophagitis and flexible hiatal hernia, finding that the current conditions are related to service. The Veteran's complaints of knee pain during service were diagnosed as chondromalacia patella, which is now diagnosed as osteoarthritis. For the gastrointestinal disorder, the Board found that the Veteran had abdominal symptoms during service, including muscle spasms and discomfort, which resolved prior to separation but are currently diagnosed as GERD with esophagitis and flexible hiatal hernia.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee condition and a back condition, with the latter being secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's scars have been evaluated under the criteria prior to October 23, 2008. The Board has determined that he is not entitled to a compensable rating based on his scars due to insufficient area or lack of limitation of motion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip and knee disorders, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board also found that there was no nexus between any current back disorder and service.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The preponderance of the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability and an etiological opinion on whether his left knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's March 14, 2008 surgery for a service-connected left knee disability resulted in the need for doctor-mandated convalescence through June 30, 2008. The Board granted this claim based on the need for convalescence.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected and denied his claims for service connection and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee instability and right knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied as the effective dates requested were not earlier than the assigned dates.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have been rated as noncompensable prior to December 16, 2015, and at 10 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for both knees.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ankle sprains. However, the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and bilateral hip disorder have been denied as they are not related to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran does not have a single permanent disability rated at 100% disabling under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities, and therefore is not eligible for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by arthritis and instability, is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5003. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, prostate cancer residuals, traumatic arthritis of both knees, tinnitus, epididymitis, otitis externa of the left ear, deformity of the right great toenail, and erectile dysfunction, rendered him unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment prior to April 1, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for new medical opinions regarding his hypertension, sleep apnea, and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his service, specifically the 1960 injury. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's osteoarthritis is more likely due to age and occupation factors rather than the in-service injury.