Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's increased rating claim for left knee disability was denied, and the TDIU issue was also denied. The Veteran is currently working part-time with a salary above the poverty threshold.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a minimum compensable rating due to pain for degenerative arthritis of the left knee is granted for the period from August 20, 2008 to March 4, 2013. The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 29, 2015 for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the pending service connection claims. The issues of service connection for various conditions are also being considered.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is at least as likely as not caused by her service-connected right knee condition. The Veteran also has a service-connected fractured left clavicle, claimed as a left shoulder condition, which the Board finds to be related to her service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's recurrent acromioclavicular separation is service-connected as being proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's right knee lateral collateral ligament sprain and arthroscopic meniscectomy warrants a 20% rating for frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion under Diagnostic Code 5258.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and arthritis of the first metatarsal joints have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left leg condition has been reopened. The Board will now review the underlying claims for service connection de novo, based on the whole record. Additional medical examination is needed to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine, right thigh, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, and bilateral heel disabilities; and for an opinion on the issue of service connection for a left leg condition.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and left foot disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to her active duty. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current disabilities for the claimed lung nodules, right knee disability, and back disability. The Veteran's assertions regarding past injuries are not competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left knee strain with limitation of motion, and left knee strain with laxity are denied as they were not filed prior to the effective dates established.,The Veteran's claims for right shin splints and left shin splints are denied as they were not filed prior to the effective dates established.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and increased the ratings for both right and left knee disabilities to 20 percent each.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and effective dates have been denied. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea has not met the criteria as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, heart disorders (including valvular disorders), and left knee disability. The Veteran's claims were not based on presumptive exposure to environmental hazards.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations.