Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disorders. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's right knee and leg disabilities are in question, and a VA examination is needed to determine their etiology. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, low back disability, and hypertension are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee condition is found to be related to service and granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in October 2017.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including lung disability, bilateral knee and hip disabilities, low back disability, neck disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and depressive disorder. The new evidence supports reopening these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection. The right knee tendonitis issue was also addressed, but no rating assigned as it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's diagnosed arthritis and chronic strain of the right knee were aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, allowing for service connection on an aggravation basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, right wrist disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee disability. The reasons provided include lack of a nexus to service or evidence of continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal was denied across multiple issues, including PTSD, cervical spine disability, right and left knee disabilities, thoracolumbar spine disability, tinnitus (hearing loss), right hand 5th metacarpal fracture, right foot heel spur, scars of the hands and knees, dermatitis of the feet, and tension headaches. The appeal was not about service connection for any conditions.

The Board found that the right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to or a result of or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), residuals of mole removal, skin rash, right knee disability, and hernia disability, status post appendectomy are all service-connected.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his meniscus tear and frequent episodes of locking, is rated at a separate 20% for the period from October 26, 2015 through October 18, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his active military service and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to November 1, 2016 and at 20 percent since then. The right shoulder disorder has been rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal period. The left knee strain has also been rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment in a sedentary capacity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and bilateral hip disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or aggravation by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and right knee disorder were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities.