Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, right knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are related to his active duty service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for postoperative residuals of a hiatal hernia and left knee internal derangement with chondromalacia have been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities. The TDIU issue will also be deferred until completion of this action.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to adjudication of the issues on appeal, including requesting clarification from the Veteran and his representative regarding whether they wish to appear for a DRO conference or desire a personal hearing before the RO.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressors and no current diagnosis of PTSD. For bilateral pes planus, the Board noted that the disability existed prior to active duty and did not worsen during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 20 percent since June 1, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as diabetes mellitus, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability, and the Board finds that he has established secondary service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing addendum opinions from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding his ability to work due to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development of evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, including range of motion testing.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his sleep apnea, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted based on new evidence submitted since the last rating decision.

The Veteran's shell fragment wound residuals of the right thigh with right knee arthritis are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5315. The Veteran's shell fragment wound residuals of the right lower extremity (muscle group XIV) are also rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for nightmares, a sleep disorder, and blurred vision have been denied.,Service connection has not been established for any of the conditions listed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee joint osteoarthritis did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to his active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The denial of the right knee claim is based on lack of evidence showing that the current right knee condition is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. For the psychiatric disorder claim, additional development is needed as the Board has not addressed this issue in its September 2015 decision.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for TDIU from December 7, 2015; his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was denied as there is no objective evidence of a chronic disability manifested by sinus symptoms resulting from an undiagnosed illness or from a medically unexplained multi-symptom illness. The Board found that the Veteran's present chronic sinusitis was not related to his military service.