Knee decisions — 2017

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or knee disabilities during service, and the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish a present disability as a result of service.,The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis was not incurred in or caused by his service.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects limitation of motion to a flexion limited to 105 degrees and extension to zero degrees. The Board found no additional functional loss due to pain or after repetition.,The Veteran's DJD of the right fourth finger DIP joint has been ankylosed, warranting a noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5227.,The Veteran's residuals of sphincterotomy have resulted in occasional rectal bleeding and leakage about two to three times per week. The Board found this not sufficient for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining all relevant VA and private treatment records, providing addendum opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee, shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities, and considering the combined impact of his service-connected conditions on his occupational functioning.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorders, including his diagnosed right knee strain, degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, internal derangement, and bipartite patella.

The Board denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, eczema, fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, GERD, back disability, and knee disability. The Veteran's claim for diabetes was reopened due to new evidence submitted after the December 2013 denial.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and meniscus tears with instability, warrants a 20 percent rating for the period prior to July 15, 2009. The claim for an increased rating for instability of the right knee is denied.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities, but awarded separate 10 percent ratings for mild incomplete paralysis of the left and right sciatic nerve associated with the lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right AC joint degenerative arthritis, right knee laxity, right knee degenerative arthritis, and pes planus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected iliotibial band syndrome, right knee; chronic thoracic back strain; and rotator cuff tear and impingement syndrome of the right shoulder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not related to his service, either directly or presumptively. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and medical opinions, to address the issues of service connection for a back disorder, increased evaluations for right foot disability, chondromalacia, left knee, residuals of an injury to the right knee, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to evaluate the severity of his service-connected right shoulder, left knee, and cervical spine disorders.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-total replacement surgery, is rated at 30 percent since April 3, 2013.

The Veteran withdrew his entire appeal prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn by his representative. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these issues.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have begun in service and the Board finds it as likely as not that his current condition began during active duty. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision below.

For the appeal period prior to July 27, 2016, the Veteran's right knee replacement (prosthesis) was rated at 30 percent. Beginning July 27, 2016, a higher rating of 60 percent is granted for this condition.,Since October 23, 2009, the Veteran has been rated with a separate 10 percent disability rating for left knee instability.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right and left knee disorders, including chondromalacia with arthritis, and right shoulder disorder are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated.