Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left total knee replacement is proximately due to his service-connected right knee injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board determined that the reduction in rating from 20 percent to 0 percent for right knee instability was proper based on improvement of the Veteran's condition.

The Board found that none of the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his service as an ART in the Air Force Reserve, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for patella tendonitis of the left and right knees, as well as gastroenteritis, have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's gastroenteritis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran is rendered unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected right and left knee degenerative joint disease, low back degenerative disc disease, and cervical spinal stenosis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to deficiencies in the VA examination reports and need for additional evidence. The claims will be reviewed again after obtaining all relevant records and conducting further examinations.

The Veteran's claimed knee and hip disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service, were not related to service, and do not have a nexus to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back and right leg disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during or within one year after service. The diagnoses provided by VA examiners were inconsistent with the preexisting condition determinations made at service entrance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records from the Veteran's incarceration period and any relevant prison facilities. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including right shoulder, left shoulder, left elbow, lumbosacral spine, left knee, and right knee conditions, are not related to his military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, but his other service-connected conditions do not significantly impact his employability.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and her bilateral foot disability is rated at 30 percent prior to March 17, 2016, and at 50 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.,The Veteran's left knee disability has been limited to flexion of up to 90 degrees with no additional limitation due to pain or repetitive use. Her bilateral foot disability prior to March 17, 2016, was primarily manifested by mild arch displacement and heel pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examinations, lack of consideration of extraschedular considerations, and other procedural issues. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia claim is denied as he does not have the diagnosed disability. The Board finds that his PTSD symptoms, which are already service-connected, cause his chronic body aches and fatigue.

The Board has remanded this case due to inadequate development and the need for a new medical opinion regarding service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee.

The Veteran's claim for higher levels of SMC based on service-connected disabilities was denied as his conditions do not meet the legal criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding the severity of his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, including range of motion testing. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to outstanding VA and private treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.