Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip and right knee conditions are related to his service-connected bilateral ankle and heel disabilities, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions were aggravated by any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee chondromalacia is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Similarly, the Veteran's service-connected left knee chondromalacia is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher rating is granted.,The Veteran's service-connected right first metatarsal joint disease (formerly bone spur of the right great toe) is also currently rated at 10 percent, with no higher rating being assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, right wrist disability, and sleep apnea due to a procedural error in activating his appeal under the modernized review system.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle pain, skin disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are all denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his first period of service.,Service connection cannot be granted on a direct basis because the Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability, and an initial compensable rating for right knee scars. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and foot disabilities are remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's sleep apnea is also remanded with similar considerations.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of an earlier claim or entitlement, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support any earlier effective date.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for right and left knee status post arthroscopy, to include residual scar, and trochanter bursitis of the hips.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for left knee pain and right knee pain. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for a back disability, deviated septum, acquired psychiatric disability (including depression), left arm tumor, right arm tumor, left knee strain, and right knee strain are all remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial claim for right hip degenerative joint disease was granted in April 2010, with a 10 percent rating. After undergoing total hip replacement, he received a 100 percent rating from January 7, 2015 to February 29, 2016. From March 1, 2016 to December 13, 2016, the Veteran was granted a 50 percent rating for his right hip condition post-replacement. The claim for higher ratings prior to these dates is denied.,The Veteran's initial claim for right knee injury residuals with chondromalacia patella was denied in April 2010 and later increased to 30 percent from January 24, 2014. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to December 14, 2016 is also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tailbone or coccyx pain is denied as there is no current disability related to the in-service injury.,The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.,The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are both rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's left calf strain is rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's mixed-type headaches are rated at 30 percent.,No effective date was provided in the decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hips, left shoulder arthritis, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis have been granted. The claim for a higher rating for right shoulder arthritis has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee was denied as his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee and lumbar spine conditions, finding that these conditions were caused by his service-connected right ankle condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, lumbar spine condition, right knee condition, prostate cancer, and residuals of bladder cancer due to asbestos exposure. The issues are being returned to the AOJ for further review with consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and her service-connected osteopenia.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran not having hearing loss for VA purposes. The claims for service connection of other conditions are remanded as there is insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.