Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his current knee, ankle, foot, hand, finger, and wrist disabilities. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to assess the relationship between any kidney disability and service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,Service connection for hypertension is denied because there is no evidence showing the condition began during service, and the one-year presumptive period has expired. The Veteran's claim based on ischemic heart disease as a pre-condition also fails.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not granted service connection due to lack of in-service onset or relationship to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease (myocardial infarction) is denied because the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7006.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for an adjustment disorder with anxiety is granted, and a TDIU is also granted. The appeal is granted to these extents.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased evaluations have been dismissed.,The claim to reopen the right knee disorder has been granted, but service connection is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disability (dementia), liver disease, and prostate cancer. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were related to his active service.,There was no indication of onset during service or causation due to in-service activities such as climbing, jumping, and physical duties.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development, including scheduling of VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The issues on appeal include service connection for various orthopedic, respiratory, psychiatric, and dermatological conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues including increased ratings and new evidence claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and initial disability ratings for his left knee disorder. The Board found no evidence of current or past psychiatric disorders, and concluded that any symptoms were not related to military service.,For the left knee disorder, the Board determined there was no evidence of instability or limitation of motion beyond what is already accounted for by the existing 10% ratings.

The Veteran's low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders (right and left), and tinnitus are all related to his active service.,Service connection is granted for a low back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and further development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's deviated septum was acquired during his second period of active service, and the Board affords the benefit of doubt in favor of granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's skin disorder claim has been reopened, but service connection is not granted. The gastrointestinal disorder and psychiatric disorders claims are pending. Service connection for erectile dysfunction and arthritis of the feet have also been denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the initial ratings of 10% and 0% for right shoulder disability and right knee disability, respectively.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to use of back and knee braces is denied as the Undersecretary for Health did not certify that these appliances cause wear and tear to his clothing.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral eye disorders are all found to have onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issues of service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular diseases.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disorder, left ear hearing loss, and left knee disorder. The claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, hip, and knee disabilities due to a lack of diagnosed current disability related to active duty service.