Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or necessary adaptive equipment due to lack of loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or hips.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, dermatitis of the bilateral shins, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome (non-dominant) has had its appeal dismissed due to the Veteran expressing a desire to withdraw his claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability, along with other service-connected disabilities, qualifies him for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for clothing allowances was denied as the medications and braces were not service-connected disabilities, and there was no certification from the Under Secretary for Health that they caused wear and tear to his clothing.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, evaluations for knee and cervical spine disabilities, and initial compensable evaluation for migraine headaches due to insufficient rationale in the September 2016 DBQ. The Veteran's OSA is being remanded for a VA medical opinion clarifying its etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and denied service connection for left collarbone, right collarbone (clavicle), right knee, lower back, and right ankle disabilities. The head injury claim is also denied.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection, and his cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The sleep apnea was also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of evidence from a separation exam. The cases will be reviewed with new examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred during service and is not considered related to his Southwest Asia service. The eye disabilities, including cataracts, dry eye condition, blurry vision, familial drusen, and vision impairment, were not shown during service or within one year of discharge.,The right knee disability was not shown during service or within one year after service. The low back disability was not shown during service or within one year after service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is denied. The Veteran's migraines are granted as related to service. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and sinus tachycardia (heart rate) do not meet the criteria for initial compensable ratings. The Veteran's right knee disorder is remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee degenerative joint disease as there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition that would warrant a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's dysthymia with anxiety disorder is granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent.,The Veteran's right knee sprain, status post plica excision with menisci degeneration, has been granted service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his service-connected right knee disability and remands for further examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,His lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is service-connected as it is proximately due to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right knee disability due to new and material evidence. However, it is denied as there is no current diagnosis of arthritis and the examiner found that the Veteran's in-service injuries had healed.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred in or related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes due to these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened. The VA has granted increased ratings for his knee conditions and lateral instability issues as of June 27, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for patellar tendonitis of the left knee was dismissed. The claim for service connection for right eye defective vision was granted and reopened, but denied due to lack of a disability subject to service connection (bilateral myopia). The appeals for increased ratings for Achilles tendonitis of both ankles were remanded.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability and left knee disability, as both conditions are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during his active military service.