Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right knee disability, back disability, and migraines are found to be related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed as there are no remaining issues for review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the etiology of his right knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disorder (pes planus) has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.,Service connection is denied for a right knee disorder, as there is no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease secondary to major depressive disorder was granted, and his left knee disability with prosthesis is rated at 30 percent since January 1, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a torn meniscus and arthritis, is found to be related to his active service. The issue of an initial compensable rating for the left knee disability is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it is caused by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is service-connected, and he was granted a non-initial rating of 10 percent for his left knee osteoarthritis prior to July 15, 2015. He also received a non-initial rating of 30 percent for his status post left total knee replacement with osteoarthritis from September 1, 2016 and thereafter. The Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is most likely related to military service. The issues of left knee and eye disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service or his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he requested to withdraw the appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, neurological disorder of the lower extremities (cramps, numbness, radiculopathy), and cervical spine disorder are secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. Service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, total left knee replacement, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded for further development as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder), and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,Service connection was denied for both conditions as there is no evidence of a chronic disability present during service, and no current disability due to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disorders are not related to his active service or are due to a nonservice-connected condition, and thus, denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is rated at 50% effective September 21, 2016. The maximum rating for this condition has been granted.