Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has found that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder and TB do not have a direct relationship to his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, nor is there any probative medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at a maximum of 50 percent since January 11, 2006. The Veteran's migraines are currently rated at 30 percent and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee), patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee), major depressive disorder, hallux valgus of the feet, and irritable bowel syndrome are all rated at their maximum schedular ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and arranging for medical examinations to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities. The issues include reopening a claim for low back disability, as well as claims for right foot, ankle, knee, and heart disabilities.

The Veteran's right lower radiculopathy was reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable effective February 11, 2009. The Board restored the original rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU rating as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's chest pain and right knee disorder have been found to be related to his military service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied service connection.,For the period prior to June 29, 2015, a rating of 10 percent for traumatic arthritis of the right knee is granted. After that date, a rating of 40 percent is granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability is not warranted.,For the period prior to June 29, 2015, a rating of 10 percent for traumatic arthritis of the left knee is granted. After that date, a rating of 40 percent is granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee instability is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability secondary to service-connected left foot paresthesia, and hypertension is not considered service connected.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and chronic vaginal infections. The conditions are found to be related to her military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations in several cases, including right knee disability, eczema, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD prior to April 25, 2017. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI is related to his in-service parachute accident, and service connection for this condition is granted. Other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for heart valve, left knee, and cervical spine conditions were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's right wrist, ankle and knee disabilities, as well as his GERD. The issues of service connection for left knee and ankle disabilities have also been remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right knee conditions and residual scars. These include increased disability ratings for right knee anterior instability, right knee ruptured ACL with degenerative joint disease, and a compensable rating for residual scars from arthroscopy of the right knee.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for joint pain as due to an undiagnosed illness is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been found to be related to his period of active duty, and he is entitled to service connection for these disorders.

The Veteran's thoracic spine, left shoulder, left knee, left ankle, right ankle/foot, eye, stomach, leg numbness, and heart disabilities are not service-connected. The psychiatric disability is also not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a current disability. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) and right knee disability is denied.,Service connection for hypertension cannot be established due to lack of nexus between the condition and service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and right knee disability are also denied.