Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and therefore the criteria for a TDIU are not met.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and left foot disabilities did not manifest within one year of separation from active service, are not otherwise etiologically related to his service, and were not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.,Service connection for the Veteran's right knee and left foot disabilities was denied as they do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, to include as secondary to her service-connected right knee disability, was denied. The Board also found that she did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to March 24, 2011.

The Board has ordered the case back to the AOJ for proper notification and development of the claim, as the Veteran did not receive a notice letter with his claim. The AOJ must ensure he is notified properly at his last known address.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, skin disability, fatigue, bilateral foot and elbow disabilities, right ankle disability, bilateral hand disability, and bilateral knee disability are denied. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is July 22, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for urinary incontinence and obesity, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The increased ratings for left knee strain and left ankle disability have been granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Veteran's right knee disability was evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board found that this evaluation is not adequate to reflect his current level of impairment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to service connection for headaches and bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that the Veteran has tinnitus that had its onset during his period of service, warranting service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disorder did not manifest in service or within one year of separation from service, and it is not otherwise related to his active duty service. The claim was denied as there was no causal relationship between the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and his current bilateral foot disorder.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with the right knee receiving a separate rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage. The claims are granted as the ratings assigned meet the criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing at the earliest available opportunity. The Veteran's request to have the hearing held at the VA Medical Center in Roseburg, Oregon is noted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee and left hip disabilities, finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's left knee meniscus tear resulted in instability and pain, warranting a 20% disability rating. The TDIU claim was granted effective from August 31, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for headaches has been granted, with the highest available rating of 50 percent effective from July 2006. The remaining claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders, including degenerative joint disease (DJD), were not incurred in or aggravated by service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence indicating worsening of the Veteran's disabilities, and a new examination is required before further rating decisions can be made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right knee disorder. The initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss was not granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to a need for an adequate statement of reasons or bases in support of its finding that a VA examination or opinion is not warranted. The Veteran's service record indicates he had a trick knee during active service, which may be related to his current right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues related to Sjögren's Syndrome and a bilateral knee disorder, as well as pulmonary and allergic disorders. The Veteran will need additional VA opinions regarding these conditions.