Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and back disabilities as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the reopening of a claim for service connection for hypertension, which is now considered secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The issue regarding bilateral knee disability remains pending as it was remanded and requires further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, chronic cervicogenic tension related headaches, compression fracture T7, right knee degenerative joint disease, cervical strain, tinnitus, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome and dermatitis, have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 28, 2017.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to service-connected OSA. The Board has also remanded for further development regarding ratings for his right knee, left knee, and left hip conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,Service connection for right knee disability and left elbow disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease, and no causal relationship between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's reduction in rating for lumbar spine disability from 20% to 10% is restored, and her claims for service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for numbness in the lower lip and jaw, increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to incomplete evaluations, including lack of opinions regarding the etiology of her musculoskeletal conditions and skin disorder. The issues are inextricably intertwined as they all relate to reactive arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition, including asthma, and a right knee condition due to procedural issues. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his knee disabilities due to incomplete examination reports, lack of medical evidence regarding onset of conditions during service, and need for additional development. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent prior to October 15, 2018. The Board finds the disability picture shown in the October 2018 VA examination report best represents her disability for this period.,The Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities that require further evaluation and clarification of their etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and a left knee condition as secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, and degenerative disk disease thoracolumbar spine due to lack of verification of National Guard service and need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his lower back condition. The remaining issues of service connection are denied.

The Veteran's left knee post arthroplasty is now rated at 60 percent, effective August 19, 2015. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee instability prior to March 1, 2017, is moot due to the grant of a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including consideration of newly-obtained service records and medical opinions. The appellant's current hearing loss disability does not meet VA criteria for a hearing loss disability. For other conditions, the Board finds that there is no evidence to support their onset in service or relationship to service.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for respiratory disability and remanded the claims for bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities due to secondary service connection. The Veteran's current respiratory condition may be related to his in-service symptoms, but further examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for vestibular disability (including vertigo), left knee condition, and hypertension condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected migraines, left ankle condition, and chronic pain. The conditions are related to the service-connected disabilities and have been aggravated by them.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims for his knee and finger disabilities, as well as his claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD, are dismissed. The appeal for the effective date of service connection for PTSD is granted to January 20, 2017.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, the lowest possible rating. The Board found that his flexion was limited to no worse than 110 degrees and extension was full (0 degrees), with painful motion throughout the appeal period.

The Board has denied service connection for a right eye disability, left foot disability (to include pes planus and heel spur), right foot disability (to include pes planus and a heel spur), left knee chondromalacia patella, left knee laxity, left ankle sprain residuals, and hypertension. The decision also dismissed the claim for TDIU.