Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, PTSD with depressive disorder, left ankle degenerative changes, right knee degenerative arthritis, right knee laxity, and tinea and lymphocytic leukemia, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, a left knee disability, bilateral otitis media, a disability manifested by Eustachian tube dysfunction, and residuals of dengue fever has been denied.,The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support finding etiological links between these disabilities and active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for his service-connected right knee, left ankle, and cervical spine disorders due to a lack of VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a left knee disability is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are granted.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, a gastrointestinal (GI) disability, including GERD, and increased ratings for manifestations of a left knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is considered to have started during his military service and is determined to be caused by his time in the military. As a result, he has won service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions related to the claimed disabilities and thus, denied these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, mood disorder, anxiety and depression) as there is no evidence that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injuries or diseases.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection for PTSD, low back disability, and right knee disability is denied. The Board finds that further development is necessary before the remaining issues can be properly adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left leg disability, including fibular head fracture and/or knee disability, is secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The examiner must provide an opinion on both causation (whether it was caused by) and aggravation (whether it was permanently worsened beyond natural progression).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, but his left and right knee disabilities are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tension-type headaches. The cases of left knee disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of PTSD, left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome, eczema, and right wrist ganglion cyst are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a supplemental VA opinion regarding his left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities including right shoulder, left arm, cervical spine, bilateral knee, binocular vision, and hearing loss disabilities due to the Veteran's failure to attend VA examinations scheduled in November 2009.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to April 1, 2016 is being remanded due to additional development needed. The combined disability rating was 50 percent disabling during this period.

The Veteran's right ankle and heel pain are attributed to a pre-existing condition, plantar fasciitis. Service connection for this condition is denied.,There is no evidence of left ear hearing loss during service or at any time since service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for IBS due to Gulf War service is granted based on the Veteran's history and symptoms, which are presumed to be related to his period of service in Southwest Asia.,VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran has current bilateral plantar fasciitis. Service connection will depend on whether this condition can be linked to service or a pre-existing condition.,VA examination is required to assess the nature and etiology of any back disorder, including determining if it is related to service or a pre-existing condition.,VA examination is required to determine the presence and etiology of bilateral knee disorders. Service connection will depend on whether these conditions are linked to service or a pre-existing condition.,VA examination is required to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including determining if it is related to service or a pre-existing condition.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss during service or at any time since service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of chondromalacia patella is not related to an in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for a headache disorder with neck pain was denied. The claims for service connection for right leg shortening and right knee disorder were reopened, but the service connection itself is not addressed. The claim for restoration of the 10% disability rating for right ankle fracture was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings for various knee, ankle, and hearing disabilities have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal in its entirety.