Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, sinusitis, right and left knee disabilities, and a psychiatric disorder, are found to be sufficient for the Board to grant a TDIU due to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus to service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability, heart disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type 2 as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee conditions, diabetes mellitus, and COPD due to herbicide exposure in Guam. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's right knee, left knee and right shoulder disorders have been granted a 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for his left varicocele with residual scar has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the right knee, finding that it is related to a fall during combat in Vietnam. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current DJD is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not develop during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The preponderance of evidence is against finding any current disability as being incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's notice of disagreement for an increased disability rating for left knee residuals was not timely. The issues regarding initial compensable ratings for right knee DJD with limitation of flexion and extension, as well as a clarification on whether the Veteran has any separately compensable meniscal condition related to his service-connected right knee, are REMANDED.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, right elbow, low back, and chest disabilities have not been adequately evaluated based on recent medical evidence. The claims are being remanded to schedule the Veteran for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous instructions.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability, including allergic dermatitis and xerosis cutis, is confirmed. The Board also granted service connection for this condition. Other issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disability and an increased evaluation for right knee disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and complete necessary development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for genu valgum with flatten arches bilaterally due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, knee disability as secondary to the foot disability, and ankle disability as secondary to the foot disability. The Veteran's preexisting pes planus did not increase in severity during service, so the presumption of aggravation does not apply. The Veteran's current hammer toes are not related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding higher disability evaluations for his service connected TBI and left knee disabilities, as well as his claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and headaches.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined for her knee and leg disabilities, as well as her PTSD. The examination results will determine whether she is entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically painful dislocation of semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain and effusion into the joint, are granted at a 20% rating. Effective March 6, 2008, TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right knee condition and bilateral hearing loss disability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied service connection for mild degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, left knee pain, right knee pain, and depression. The Veteran's back condition is not considered to have originated during service due to lack of objective findings. His knee conditions are also not considered to be related to service. Depression is attributed to multiple life events post-service.