Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is not related to his service, as it was a self-limiting condition. The Board finds that he does not have current sinusitis and thus cannot establish service connection for this issue.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with venous stasis dermatitis of the lower extremities (formerly tinea cruris) which is currently present. However, his in-service rash was resolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is granted. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current left knee disability is at least as likely as not causally related to his service-connected right knee disability. The claim for rating in excess of 10 percent for a low back disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right wrist, ankle, and knee disabilities are found to be related to service. Her acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's joint and nerve pain is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected HIV, and therefore, denied all claims for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee strain was denied as the evidence did not support a higher or separate rating under any diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities, as well as his hypertension, are at least as likely as not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hip and knee conditions did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service, and are not due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hip pain, hypertension, and bilateral knee disability are not service-connected as they did not begin during or were not caused by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with depression prior to October 27, 2010 is denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are denied as the evidence does not show flexion limited to 15 degrees.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her left knee instability is denied as the evidence does not show moderate or severe instability.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her right knee patellofemoral syndrome and right knee instability are denied as the evidence does not show flexion limited to 15 degrees.,The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depression is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye optic neuropathy and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome are denied.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to December 8, 2010 is denied.

The Veteran's TBI and bilateral visual disability claims are denied. His bilateral hearing loss and low back disabilities are granted, but his knee disabilities remain not established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting new examinations to address the etiology of his bilateral knee and cervical spine conditions.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome have been rated at 20 percent each, while his left knee patellar tendinitis with limited extension has also been rated at 20 percent. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his left knee condition, which has not fully recovered from surgery. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for an examination and obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and experience, effective October 16, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address his right knee disability. The claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete information from employers and a need to complete VA Form 21-4192. The Veteran's claim for TDIU will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new evaluations or service connections.

The Board has determined that the service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.