Knee decisions — 2019

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and other disabilities, do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The decision is denied as his unemployability is primarily due to a non-service connected stroke.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for synovitis of the right ankle and granted it. The claims for vascular insufficiency and edema in the right lower extremity, back condition, and right knee condition are still pending.,Service connection was denied for vascular insufficiency and edema in the right lower extremity due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's back, bilateral hip, and left knee disabilities are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected right knee arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and multiple sclerosis, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the right knee claim and concluding that there is insufficient evidence linking the neurological disability (including multiple sclerosis) to service or any other condition.

The Veteran's appeals for various disability ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeals by the Veteran through his representative.

The Board has denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, as well as hearing loss in the left ear and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are all granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, granting his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back arthritis, neck condition, bilateral hip arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral feet arthritis have been dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction has been granted.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for sleep apnea and increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left foot hallux valgus deformity, and hypertension. The Veteran's representative contends that the Veteran’s sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that no claim to reopen was received prior to January 22, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total disability rating based on surgical convalescence beyond August 1, 2016 was denied as the evidence did not support severe postoperative residuals such as incompletely healed wounds or immobilization.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left knee disability, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service and that both conditions pre-existed service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including reopening of service connection claims and obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral foot disability, as well as her increased rating claims for right and left knee degenerative joint disease, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral foot disability related to service or a service-connected condition. For the knees, the Board noted no evidence of aggravation beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's right knee disability and depressive disorder were evaluated, with the right knee receiving a combined rating of 20 percent from December 14, 2017, and the depressive disorder receiving separate ratings of 30 percent since February 26, 2009, and 50 percent since April 6, 2011. The appeals were denied as there was no evidence supporting a higher rating for either condition.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities. The Veteran's PTSD claim was also denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was not granted.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding aggravation of the right knee disability by service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations. The Veteran's hearing loss disability claim also requires a new examination.