Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for a bilateral shoulder condition and left knee condition have been denied as there is insufficient evidence of in-service injury or treatment.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression has been denied as there is insufficient evidence of in-service injury or treatment.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, low back disability, bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder as they were not incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee strain with chondromalacia and scars warrants a 20 percent disability rating since October 30, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to other non-service connected conditions contributing to his disability picture.

The Veteran's claim for various equipment purchases/home modifications under the vocational rehabilitation independent living plan is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and updated independent living assessment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an increased rating for PTSD with alcohol dependence. The claim of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a rash on the neck, and the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are not related to service. The Board also found that the Veteran's urethral lesions are likely due to HPV contracted during service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to functional loss and normal range of motion.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted as there is an approximate balance of negative and positive evidence regarding its relationship to service. Service connection for a back disability has also been granted based on an approximate balance of negative and positive evidence.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a head injury was not addressed in the decision, but it is presumed that service connection was granted as well due to the nature of the other claims.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including anterior cruciate ligament tear and traumatic degenerative arthritis with lateral meniscal tears, warrants a rating of 10 percent since February 2, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a ventral hernia and service connection for back, left knee, and psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran's ventral hernia was rated as 20 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate examination for rating purposes. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, but denied the claims for bilateral hip and knee disorders as well as cervical spine disorders. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right and left knee, hip, low back, and neck disorders are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assigned separate 20 percent disability ratings for instability of the right and left knees is denied. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic arthritis of the left knee and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of July 25, 2016. The Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee and right ankle disabilities were not caused or aggravated by her active service. The preponderance of evidence did not support a causal connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and entitlement to a temporary total evaluation due to convalescence, as there is no established service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities do not warrant an extraschedular rating as her disability picture is contemplated by the rating schedule.