Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not show more than slight instability or ankylosis of the left knee.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service-connected right knee disability did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 15, 2006. The Board found that his other service-connected conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder and lumbosacral strain, also did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected knee and back disabilities, including lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease at L4-L5 with limitation of motion, right knee status post-ligament damage, right knee traumatic mild degenerative arthritis with loss of motion, left knee laxity of the medial collateral ligament, and left knee traumatic osteoarthritis with limitation of motion. The appeal is currently pending due to a need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and medical opinions to address the severity of his service-connected left knee and thigh conditions, as well as the nature and etiology of any claimed left hip condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and that any current disabilities were not related to service.

The Board has granted initial compensable ratings of 10 percent for right and left knee strains, but denied the claim for an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are rated based on their direct effects rather than any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records and further consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports a finding that the Veteran has sleep apnea that had its onset during his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to address the secondary service connection aspect of his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unclear employment status and the need for a VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow gainful employment.

The Board has determined that a more contemporaneous examination is needed for the Veteran's right ankle disability, and a VA examination is required to determine if her right knee disability is secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities were initially rated as 10% prior to July 26, 2015. Since then, the right knee disability has warranted a separate 10% rating on or after that date.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations and guidelines.,There is no effective date earlier than January 26, 2011, for the grant of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining STRs and scheduling the Veteran for an orthopedic examination to determine if his current right knee disability is related to his reported in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and vertigo. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is pending due to the need for further VA examination.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD due to military sexual trauma, bipolar disorder, and currently experiences symptoms of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee, hip, and low back disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service or service-connected conditions. The evidence did not establish a direct connection to service.

The Veteran's claim for a right knee disorder is denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not show one proximate to or during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not related to his military service or his service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to an annual clothing allowance due to his use of a right-knee brace and back brace for service-connected disabilities, as well as skin medication applied on his torso. The decision resolves all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various disabilities, including a right elbow disability, back disability, hand disorder, hearing loss, headaches, swollen glands, female problems and menstrual disorders, abdominal pain (residuals of hysterectomy), hypertension, left arm pain, right arm pain, left wrist pain, right hand pain, left knee pain, right knee pain, and bilateral foot disorder. The claims are being remanded for further development and consideration.