Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for reopening service connection for a bilateral knee condition is granted. Service connection for the right knee disability is denied, but he receives a compensable rating of 20% for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting right knee disability was aggravated by active service, and therefore grants service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not establish an in-service injury or event resulting in these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, rib/breast bone disorder, and chronic headaches secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The issues include determining if his knee conditions are secondary to his lumbar spine condition, obtaining an updated examination for his back disability, and obtaining VA treatment records for his psychiatric care.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service personnel records, VA treatment records, and SSA records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination to address any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the VA examination was inadequate and remands the case for further development, including a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current right knee disability.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are rated at 10% each, but the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or functional loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, numbness in the right lower extremity, and right testicle hydrocele as secondary to a right knee disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his period of service.,The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran’s current arthritis in his knees was more likely related to obesity and natural aging process rather than an injury sustained during airborne jumps.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for deep vein thrombosis, right hip and knee conditions, and a reduction in the rating of his lumbar spine disability have been granted. The right knee condition is now considered secondary to his service-connected left knee and back disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 70 percent throughout the appeal period. Service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow, knee, and foot disabilities, as well as cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection for bilateral knee, low back, and head injuries due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to his knee brace is granted because the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the brace causes wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee replacement, coronary artery disease, nephropathy with hypertension, and diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and erectile dysfunction, are sufficient to qualify for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability as of June 17, 2011.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and special monthly compensation as the Veteran withdrew his claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as the evidence did not support a link to active service or Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's other claims were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 20 percent, with separate ratings for limitation of flexion and extension. The appeal was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and an increased rating for DJD of the left knee are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for specially adapted housing is inextricably intertwined with the other two claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, low back, and bilateral hip disorders have been denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his military service.