Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and elbow disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) have been denied. The claim of service connection for a prostate condition has not been reopened.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including right knee disability and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, were granted. The specific ratings assigned are provided in the decision summary.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees, a lumbar spine condition, a cervical spine condition, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy (arms, shoulders, and fingers), and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's conditions are related to her time in military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee strain, finding that her current bilateral knee disability is unrelated to her service.

The Veteran's application for an annual clothing allowance was denied as the braces provided for his service-connected disabilities do not tend to wear or tear clothing, and the prescribed medication does not cause irreparable damage to outer garments.

The Board has granted service connection for ulcerative colitis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left knee strain, and right ankle strain. The conditions are considered secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to October 13, 2015, and from October 13, 2015, the combined rating remained at 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability and lumbosacral strain were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment and personnel records from his Enlisted Reserve Corps service.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left knee is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities are not related to his military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also not related to his military service.,As a result, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU as he does not have any service-connected disabilities upon which to base this claim.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her bilateral knee and hip disabilities were denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the increased evaluation of left knee degenerative joint disease has been withdrawn by his attorney-representative.

The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU rating as his service-connected Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the left knee does not render him unemployable.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and found that new evidence supports a finding of service connection for bilateral knee disability, including Osgood-Schlatter's disease, chronic tendonitis, and arthritis. The decision is based on the aggravation theory.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee DJD with subchondral lucency of the lateral femoral condyle and left knee chondromalacia and DJD, finding that these conditions originated in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea. The right hip disability is found to be related to in-service injuries, while the bilateral knee disability is found to be related to in-service activities. Service connection is granted on a direct basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is related to service. The Veteran will be asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain records of treatment prior to 2005 and any other relevant records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the gastrointestinal disability receiving a 30% rating and neuropathy of the left toes (3, 4, and 5) receiving a 10% rating effective February 11, 2015. The right knee conditions received separate ratings.