Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, either on a direct basis or as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have not met the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261, except for slight instability in the right knee prior to February 14, 2017. The Veteran is therefore denied increased ratings.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected chondromalacia patella and degenerative joint disease of the right knee are currently rated at 10 percent, effective May 23, 2017. The limitation of extension of the right leg is also rated at 10 percent, effective May 23, 2017.

The Veteran's bilateral knee valgus instability is rated at 20 percent, and his bilateral patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative changes remains at a 10 percent rating.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee and low back disorders.

The Board finds that the Veteran's COPD, hypertension, venous insufficiency, and other respiratory, skin, ankle, foot, knee, and erectile dysfunction conditions are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 60 percent, the highest available under Diagnostic Code 5055. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee arthritis and bilateral hip disability are at least as likely as not caused by her service-connected right knee arthritis, s/p arthroscopic surgery.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his claims for increased disability ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to obtain relevant medical records and determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a causal connection between the Veteran's current knee and lumbar spine conditions and his military service, thus denying service connection for these disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have onset during service and is presumed incurred therein. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his claims, including a right knee disability and sinus bradycardia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral elbow and knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability, effective February 13, 2015. The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to November 3, 2015, and 40 percent disabling from that date. The Board has found that the Veteran warrants a separate 10 percent rating for painful limitation of flexion.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are related to his service, specifically his parachute jumps. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his knee disability.