Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 28, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee, low back, and left shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's esophageal dysmotility disorder, right and left foot hallux valgus, migraine headaches, asthma, psoriasis, and alopecia are all rated at the maximum available under VA regulations. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has been evaluated at 40 percent prior to July 26, 2010, and 50 percent thereafter. The Board found no basis for a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion but granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for instability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of his right knee strain (previously claimed as a right knee disability) is granted. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports the claim, and thus grants service connection.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10% each for painful motion. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no indication of more than noncompensable limitation of motion.

The Board denied reopening the claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral knee disability, diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a back disability. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his Vietnam service were found to be not supported by the record.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support higher ratings due to lack of functional loss or instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and are not otherwise causally related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of low back, right leg radiculopathy, upper back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, bilateral hip disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral foot disorder are at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury. As such, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran did not have a severe muscle pain disability including pain involving the bilateral elbows, forearms, legs, knees and feet related to active duty service, to include due to exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for the service-connected right wrist strain and right knee chondromalacia patella, with medial meniscus tear.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, increased ratings for his leg disabilities, and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or that the Veteran's leg disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's compensation benefits were restored to October 1, 2002, the date following her discharge from military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current PTSD is at least as likely as not the result of an in-service event or injury. The other issues related to knee disabilities and headaches are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and is remanding the issue of service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his left knee disability and service connection for a right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's right knee condition was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, and the Board denied service connection for a right knee injury. The Veteran's back condition is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board found no evidence of worsening since his last examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic left knee strain with degenerative changes status post total knee replacement was denied in a December 1990 rating decision. The effective date of the grant of service connection is August 3, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA examination and records, as well as SSA disability records.