Knee decisions — 2017

The appellant withdrew his appeals for reopening claims of service connection for a low back disability, hepatitis, left knee disability, lung disability, and hypertension. The Board has dismissed these matters as the appeal was withdrawn.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's current diagnosis of right knee osteoarthritis is related to his in-service injury, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, bilateral foot disability (pes planus and plantar fasciitis), and hemorrhoids are not service-connected due to his dishonorable discharge from active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim is then adjudicated on its merits, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected left knee disruption of the anterior cruciate ligament. The case has been remanded due to potential increase in severity since his last VA evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain missing STRs and to provide a VA examination to determine the etiology of his lumbar spine, bilateral knee, bilateral hip, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral foot, right wrist, left knee, and left shoulder conditions are related to service. The Board grants these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete verification of his Reserve service and for additional development regarding his right heel condition, right knee condition, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are being considered. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for right and left knee disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of aid and attendance, warranting SMC at the aid and attendance rate.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition, back condition, and bilateral big toe condition. The claim for bilateral hip condition is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's upper and low back disabilities are found to be related to service, while his right knee and foot disabilities are also found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current respiratory, right knee, or left knee disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis was first diagnosed during active duty service and is presumed to have been incurred in service. The right knee disability and low back disability are not directly related to service, but may be caused or aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability and an ulcer disease, but reopened these claims. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is not supported by evidence showing a current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not manifest in service and is not related to service. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right knee disability, finding that the June 11, 2002, filing was the earliest valid claim to reopen a previously denied claim in April 1971.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his military service. The remaining claims of service connection for other conditions are remanded for additional development.

The Board finds that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral spinal facet orthropathy and degenerative changes, and thus denies this issue.