Knee decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for ACL reconstruction of the right knee and mechanical back syndrome, finding that there was no evidence of moderate or severe recurrent subluxation or lateral instability for the ACL reconstruction claim. The mechanical back syndrome claim did not involve service connection issues.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, finding that it is proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The claim of increased rating for left knee disability and the claim of diabetes mellitus are also addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's conditions, including diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee disability are service connected. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disability, bilateral knee disability, peripheral nervous system disorder, immune system disorders, metabolic digestive disorder (claimed as GERD), diabetes mellitus type II, skin cancer, and birth defects and stillborn baby. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back and left knee disabilities are etiologically related to his service, including injuries sustained during military vehicle accidents in 1967 and 1968. The vision disability is currently under consideration.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee, right leg, cervical spine, and psychiatric disorders. The claim for service connection for a lung disorder is also granted. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination of his right knee disability, which was last evaluated in August 2016. The rating and effective date will be determined based on the results of this examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the extent of his right knee disability post total knee replacement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and low back disorders were not incurred or aggravated by active service, nor are they proximately due to, aggravated by, or the result of a service-connected disability. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral foot and ankle arthritis, and his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, rendering moot the claim for a TDIU. Service connection was granted for fibromyalgia as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

Service connection for migraines as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and/or tinnitus is granted.,The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus have not been met.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, a left knee disability, and cystitis by history (claimed as hematuria) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus claim is also being remanded for further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee condition is not service-connected as it was aggravated by his military service, but not incurred or aggravated therein.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for joint pain, loss of hand grip and muscle weakness, fatigue and swelling of body parts, and memory loss. However, it is not granted as these conditions are not found to be related to active service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has granted service connection for melanoma and renal insufficiency, but denied service connection for right knee disability. The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for dental trauma to tooth #8 is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, service connection for right knee disability, service connection for left knee disability, or TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation since July 20, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including new examinations and an SSOC addressing all evidence since the last statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as right and left hip disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are etiologically related to his parachute jumps during active duty.,Service connection was also granted for obstructive sleep apnea, with the opinion stating it is aggravated by a service-connected condition.