Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and insomnia are dismissed. The claim of increased rating for asthma is denied, but a 30% rating is granted effective May 5, 2015. The right knee disability rating reduction from 10% to noncompensable is overturned, and the 10% rating is restored. The back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy issues are remanded.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), spondylolisthesis, and scoliosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and right hip degenerative arthritis are all found to be secondary to the service-connected right fibula disability. The Veteran's right fibula disability is currently rated at 10%.

The Veteran's right and left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome were evaluated at 10 percent, effective November 5, 2012. The Board denied entitlement to higher ratings as the evidence did not show moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability in either knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his obesity due to service-connected left knee condition caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right knee disability, a left knee disability, and a low back disability have been reopened. However, the evidence does not support these claims.,A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has any current disabilities of his knees or back, and whether they are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee and left knee conditions, as well as a compensable rating for residuals of fracture to the left 4th digit. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is unclear, and he must provide clarity on whether he wishes to pursue this claim or if it should be considered unrelated to his insomnia. The Board has also remanded for clarification regarding an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for insomnia.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a chronic respiratory disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left knee disorder have been denied. The Board has found that the evidence does not show any current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral ankle disorders and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's right hand middle finger fracture residuals are currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.,Service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition is denied because there is no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension to include aid and attendance and housebound benefits is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his ability to perform daily activities independently.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and basal cell carcinoma are not supported by the evidence.

The Board denied service connection for stenosis of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the left patellofemoral joint, right knee disability, cardiomyopathy, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that these conditions did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left leg shin splints and a penile disability are both remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that his death was not related to any service-connected disabilities or service events.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed, but service connection will be decided based on the merits of the claim rather than any presumption or secondary condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to the basis for the prior denial and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities. The case is remanded to consider a higher rating for the Veteran's mental health disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for knee disorders and a left forearm and elbow disability due to additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing new examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, left knee, and rotator cuff tendonitis of both shoulders disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.