Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that additional examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's knee disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for the left knee disorders of Osgood-Schlatter's disease and chondromalacia patella, finding that they preexisted service and were not aggravated by service. Service connection was also denied for a separate left knee disorder (arthritis).

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and residuals of gonorrhea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's medical records establish diagnoses or persistent symptoms of various disabilities and have indicated a possible service connection. Therefore, the case is being remanded to provide the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability have been granted. The Board found that the current diagnoses are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been decided. The decision grants a separate evaluation of 10 percent for RUE ulnar radiculopathy beginning June 19, 2013, but denies all other issues raised in the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 31, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease on a direct-incurrence basis, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his parachute accident during active service.

The Veteran's combined total disability rating is 90 percent, meeting the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder secondary to his right knee disability and for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right knee and left knee disability, finding that further medical opinion is needed to determine if these disabilities are separate from service-connected conditions or caused by them.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The restoration of service connection for right knee instability was granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable, and service connection for DJD of the right knee is granted. Service connection for a low back disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for right knee instability from 10 percent to non-compensable effective March 14, 2012 was proper based on evidence showing improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left biceps injury, left lateral knee instability, and left knee degenerative joint disease, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. Service connection was not granted, as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for hearing loss in his right ear. Increased ratings for left ear hearing loss and PTSD were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and development of records. The issues include bilateral foot disorder, psychiatric disorder, neurological disorders of the lower extremities, GERD, low back disorder, bilateral eye disorder, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, skin disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for left and right knee instability have been denied.,The Veteran's increased disability rating for left and right knee strain with patella chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease has also been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, IBS, anxiety disorder, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, left and right knee patellofemoral arthritis have all been granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded separate ratings for his lower extremity and knee conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his left knee disabilities due to the need for additional examinations.