Knee decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's current left hip and right knee disabilities are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied these claims. The Board also determined there is no evidence of a TBI or left hand numbness.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees have been rated at 10 percent each, but his claims for increased ratings are denied as there is no evidence that either knee warrants a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is etiologically related to his service, with the opinion being in relative equipoise. Therefore, service connection for a right knee disability is granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased ratings for headaches and chest scars, as well as service connection claims for a lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral pes planus, psoriasis, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to address the relationship between her current disabilities and service, including her period of active duty training in January 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic arthritis of the right knee and left ear hearing loss disability. Service connection was denied for a right ear hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities involving his hips, knees, ankles, feet or back. The arthritis of multiple joints is not service connected as it did not manifest within one year after separation from service and there is no evidence linking it to service. The bilateral hip disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and back disorder are also not service-connected.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for coxa vara, right hip, and for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative joint disease, right knee.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right knee disability, which she contends is related to her service-connected left knee disability. The Board finds that an additional VA examination and development are necessary before the claim can be decided.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus; entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the right knee; entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability; entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine prior to December 20, 2016 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter; and entitlement to a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee and shin splint disabilities are related to his service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his knee disabilities, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to evaluate the severity of his service-connected right and left knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of fracture right talus and medial malleolar, and status post right knee posterior cruciate ligament and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction have been denied.,No effective date has been assigned as the claims are still pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee and low back disabilities are not related to service, as there were no chronic symptoms during or within one year after service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting left knee disorder did not permanently worsen during service and is not caused by his service-connected right knee disorder. Therefore, service connection for a left knee disorder cannot be established.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. The case will be returned to the AOJ after further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination reports, and a new examination is needed for range-of-motion testing on active and passive motion and in weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing positions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those related to Agent Orange exposure, were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in many of the claimed conditions and did not find a link between any condition and active military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's death was caused by diffuse pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, which the Board finds is service-connected due to exposure to silica fibers in service. The claims for accrued benefits based on pending claims for service connection for various conditions are also granted.