Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, as the previous opinion was inadequate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder did not have its onset during active service and is not related to active service. The claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis, to include as secondary to his service-connected left knee condition, has been denied.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral chondromalacia patellae, finding that the condition was incurred in service. However, it denied service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, concluding that the current condition is not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for non-service-connected pension remains pending as it is intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his post-operative chondromalacia patella of the left and right knees are denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis, symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage, or genu recurvatum. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that either knee has dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of joint locking, pain, and effusion.

The Veteran's claim for a special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance is granted. The claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining his vocational rehabilitation folder and any outstanding VA treatment records. The case will be re-adjudicated after the additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination of his left knee and review of all pertinent evidence since the July 2014 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the grant of a TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral foot conditions have been rated as at least a 30 percent rating for the entire period on appeal, which is granted. The Board finds that his left knee and ankle disorders are not caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine and tension headaches has been granted at a 50 percent level, effective from the date of claim. The right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II and type I diabetes, bilateral hand disability, low back disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, bilateral wrist disability, and neurological disorder of the lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a link between these conditions and service. The Veteran's claims for increased rating for onychomycosis and dental disorder are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder. The Veteran is now entitled to service connection for this condition.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral hip disorder, as well as bilateral ankle disorder. However, service connection is not established for right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left ankle disability, as well as the nature and etiology of his right ankle, knee, and leg disorders.

The Veteran's costochondritis was incurred during active service and has continued since then. The Board finds that the Veteran's current costochondritis is related to his military service, granting direct service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee strain and residuals of medial meniscus tear are related to his service-connected torn meniscus left knee condition, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities and eosinophilic esophagitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee instability does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of more than slight instability.,There are no compensable scars on the Veteran's right knee. The scar is deep and linear, but not painful or unstable.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues include secondary service connection for a right knee disability, service connection for residuals of a spider bite (other than a left second toe disability), and service connection for a left second toe hammer toe deformity.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The claim for increased rating of lumbar spine disability is remanded due to a need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's current complaints regarding his lumbar spine condition suggest a worsening since the last examination in January 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish that it is related to active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied because there is no evidence of its onset in or within one year after service and it is not linked to a service-connected condition.