Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, increased rating for spondyloarthropathy with IVDS prior to February 23, 2016, and increased rating for chondromalacia and arthritis of the right knee since February 23, 2016 were denied. The Veteran's claim for an increase in rating for bilateral hearing loss on an extra-schedular basis was not addressed as it is a separate matter.

The Board has ordered a new medical opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right knee DJD, including whether it is related to service or caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Bipolar Disorder) and denied service connection for a right knee disorder. The decision is mixed as it grants one claim but denies another.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension based on the determination that the evidence of record was against a finding that his hypertension manifested during, or was otherwise etiologically related to, his active military service. The additional evidence received since the December 2014 Board decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran is entitled to a clothing allowance for the 2016 year due to his service-connected left knee disability causing wear and tear on his pants.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling based on limitation of motion. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and asthma, with a rating of 40 percent effective from April 9, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, and a maximum extension of the temporary total disability rating from October 21, 2010 to November 1, 2011 is warranted for his left knee surgery.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate examination report.

The Veteran's left and right knee chondromalacia patellae have been productive of pain, locking, crepitus, no more than slight instability and limitation of flexion to no less than 90 degrees. The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for each knee under DC 5257 for slight lateral instability and a separate 20 percent rating for each knee under DC 5258 to compensate her for episodes of locking and crepitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for multiple service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for increased ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including gathering of records and scheduling of VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a separate 20 percent rating for other impairment of the left knee due to meniscal tear. The primary issue regarding recurrent subluxation and lateral instability remains at 20 percent.

The Board has not conducted the required development to identify and obtain all relevant treatment records, nor has it scheduled a VA examination. The case is being remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The left knee issue remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the Board has dismissed all pending claims.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 60 percent rating for his service-connected right knee ankylosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee patella-femoral syndrome and osteoarthritis, as well as L4-L5 bulging disc with moderate spinal canal stenosis (degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine), both secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder. The claim for chronic dermatitis remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for total right knee arthroplasty is granted. The claim for service connection for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as a result of herbicide exposure during service is also granted on a presumptive basis.