Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for left knee and right lower leg disabilities were denied as they are not shown to be related to service.,Service connection was also denied for chest pain and a rash on the face, with no indication of any presumptive exposure basis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including examinations to assess his spine, skin, and knee conditions. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his full service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current status of his facial nerve disability and right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims regarding reduction of his right knee rating and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The reduction from 30 to 10 percent was found improper, while a 10 percent rating for mild instability in the right knee is granted. For hearing loss, no increase in rating is warranted as there is no evidence of significant decrease in hearing since service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's current chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease of the right knee is etiologically related to service and all reasonable doubt in her favor has been resolved.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for congenital cataracts and granted service connection for left knee tendonitis and patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claim for service connection for a left hand and finger condition remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and TB claims are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria.,Right knee patellofemoral syndrome (PFS) was established during service, with the Veteran having a diagnosis in service and ongoing symptoms post-service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability evaluations of his service-connected right hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed. The Board granted a temporary total disability rating for the partial right knee replacement from September 10, 2012 to October 10, 2013.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for his right shoulder and left knee disorders have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn them.

The Veteran's right and left knee strains have been rated based on instability, locking, and flexion limitations. The initial ratings granted are consistent with the severity of his symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for left knee strain, right knee disability (other than radiculopathy), and right leg disability (other than radiculopathy). The Veteran's sleep apnea was also not granted service connection. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for service connection for various conditions, including frontal sinus osteoma, head trauma, headaches, chronic sinusitis/rhinitis, GERD, and others. The claim of tinea pedis was also withdrawn.

The Veteran's low back pain syndrome and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis were evaluated, with the Board finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 20% for the low back condition and 10% for each knee condition prior to specified dates.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen any previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 24, 2012 for service connection of depressive disorder was denied as there were no pending claims at the time. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a right knee disability claim, and entitlement to service connection for left knee, bilateral upper extremity, and bilateral foot disabilities are still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining medical records from various VA facilities and Grays Harbor Community Hospital. The appeal is now pending again with the RO.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent for DJD with meniscal tear, bursitis, and chondromalacia patella status post arthroscopic debridement and medial collateral ligament sprain. The rating for instability is increased to 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis of the bilateral feet has been granted. The remaining issues have not been fully adjudicated and are remanded.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right or left knee disability, and the Veteran's reported symptoms are not supported by medical records. Therefore, service connection for these disabilities cannot be granted.,Similarly, the Board finds insufficient evidence to support a finding of a current obstructive sleep apnea disability, as it was first diagnosed many years after discharge from military service. The claim is denied.,Regarding hypertension, the Veteran's blood pressure readings were consistently within normal limits throughout his service and for several years post-discharge. There is no evidence linking this condition to service or any presumptive exposure to herbicide agents. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted.,The Board also found insufficient evidence of a current vision disability in the record. The Veteran's reported symptoms are not supported by medical records. Service connection for this issue is denied.