Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development and review of the evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability was not caused or aggravated by military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's migraines are related to her active duty service and she is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for various disabilities, including ankle, knee, hip, and lower extremity neuropathy, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The case is being remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee and hip disabilities are caused by her service-connected lumbar degenerative joint and disc disease with spondylolisthesis and bilateral lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremities, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disability and assigned a noncompensable rating effective August 31, 2010. The Veteran's genitourinary disorder (erectile dysfunction) was also granted service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder and granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left wrist disorders are being remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding records, provide the Veteran with adequate VA medical opinions, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's countable income for VA pension purposes is in excess of the established income limit to receive nonservice-connected disability pension.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of bilateral knee disability, right wrist disability, DDD of the cervical spine, and right 5th finger disability. The evidence received since the July 1997 rating decision is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with medical opinions and outstanding records. The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot hallux rigidus is etiologically related to an in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder impingement has been withdrawn. The claims for compensable initial ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease, right knee strain, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are being remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but has not yet decided whether these claims are well-grounded or meritorious.

The Veteran's right foot disability, characterized by pes planus and hallux valgus, is rated at 20 percent under DC 5284 for other foot injuries. The rating reflects the moderate severity of his condition.

The Veteran's VA disability compensation benefits were discontinued effective October 30, 2002 due to his fugitive felon status. The benefits were reinstated on April 30, 2012 after the warrant was cleared. An earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic sciatica during or after service, and the current disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, while his lower back disorder, left knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders are not.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for all issues related to right knee, lumbar spine, residuals of right wrist fracture, and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.