Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee condition is related to his service, specifically parachute jumping. Therefore, service connection for djd of both knees is granted. However, there is no evidence of a diagnosed ankle condition during or after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and is related to his military service, thus granting service connection for tinnitus. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and right knee condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee and lower leg, right hip, and low back disabilities are not considered service-connected as they are not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain relevant SSA records and schedule him for a VA examination regarding his left hip disability. The examiner will provide opinions on the likelihood of service connection for his left knee, lower back, and hip disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been dismissed due to withdrawal.,Service connection for prostate cancer has been granted based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, foot disorders, knee disorders, ankle disorder, and headache disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and a skin condition affecting his legs and feet. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service hearing loss or arthritis, and concluded that any current hearing loss is not related to service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which included chondromalacia and post-surgical changes, was rated at 10% prior to July 26, 2016. From July 26, 2016, the rating increased to 30%. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted for any period.

The Board has granted a waiver of recovery for the overpayment of $458.00, finding that repayment would result in undue hardship to the Veteran and that collection would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's current left knee disabilities are related to his service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine strain, mild scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, anterolisthesis L5-S1 (lumbar spine disability), and a 20 percent rating for his service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's status post left total knee replacement is rated at 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was not caused by his time in active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of February 1, 2011, for the grants of service connection for multiple disabilities.,The Veteran is granted an effective date of May 6, 2013, for the grant of a 10 percent rating for psoriasis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as a nasal disorder, have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of any higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his bilateral hearing loss, foot disorders, varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, and psychiatric disorder. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been presented to reopen a previously-denied claim for right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee chondromalacia with instability, granted a compensable evaluation for his right knee chondromalacia, denied his claims for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine disability, left wrist fracture, and left ankle fracture.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and meniscal tear, is currently rated at 30 percent for extension limitation. The claimant has not met the criteria for a higher rating based on additional limitations of motion or instability.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right knee and cervical spine disabilities, finding that they were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board also found that there was no evidence of a nexus between his IBS and his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence to support higher ratings or service connection based on his claimed conditions.