Knee decisions — 2018

The Board denied increased ratings for DJD and instability of the Veteran's right knee, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to clarify whether the Veteran's left knee disorder is related to his military service, including documented in-service injury and iliotibial band syndrome. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted as secondary to his service-connected burn scars. The issue of a current left knee condition remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment effective October 23, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran engaged in marginal employment as of this date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for a flare-up examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus with hallux valgus, bilateral foot condition, and bilateral knee condition as there was no evidence of in-service aggravation or direct service connection.

The Veteran's left knee internal derangement disability has been manifested by limited flexion to 40 degrees, with pain on motion. The Board finds that this does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes and left knee disabilities are currently rated based on their current symptoms, with no evidence of requiring regulation of activities for medical management. The Veteran's left knee disability is not shown to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the extent of his right knee disability and determine any functional loss due to pain or flare-ups.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis. The Board found that there is no evidence linking this condition to active service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for upper airway resistance syndrome, right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and a claim for a 10 percent rating based on multiple non-compensable service-connected disabilities have been withdrawn. The claims are therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and necessary adaptive equipment is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to lack of loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet or hands, or permanent impairment of vision of both eyes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including TDIU, PTSD evaluations, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is denied as there is no current disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by pain and limited motion, has been rated at the lowest possible level (10%) since October 2008. The current examination findings do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and left hip disorders were denied as there is no current diagnosis of a left knee, right knee, or left hip disorder at any time during the pendency of this appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of a right clavicle fracture was denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of an initial compensable rating as there are no chronic residuals of a right clavicle fracture and the Veteran reported that his right clavicle disability did not bother him.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for degenerative joint disease, sacroiliac joint, and pubic symphysis, right hip was denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of an initial compensable rating as there is no limitation of motion in the right hip.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for status post-dislocation, left shoulder, since June 6, 2017, was denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of a higher rating as there are no chronic residuals of a left shoulder dislocation and the Veteran reported that his left shoulder disability did not bother him.

The Veteran's joint pain, left knee disorder, and left hip disorder were not found to be related to service or the Persian Gulf War. The Board denied these claims as there was no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability for service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.