Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including knee and hip issues secondary to a right ankle condition, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals. The remaining claims are remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of secondary service connection.

The RO reduced the ratings for several service-connected conditions, but found that the reductions were not supported by evidence of actual improvement. The case is remanded to determine if there has been an actual change in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary life conditions.

The previously-denied claims for lower back disability and bilateral eye disorder are reopened, but the other claims remain pending.,The Veteran's current eye disorder is related to her in-service exposure to blowing sand and use of Visine. A VA examination is needed to determine if it is due to Persian Gulf War service.,VA will obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran has bilateral knee disabilities, including a history of an acute injury during service.,A VA examination is required to assess whether the Veteran's current joint pain is related to her Persian Gulf War service. A medical opinion should be obtained regarding this issue.,The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if she has any objective manifestations of cold injuries from service, and a medical opinion should be provided on this matter.,A VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran has a current gynecological disorder related to her in-service treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. A medical opinion should be obtained regarding this issue.,The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if she currently suffers from chronic headaches that are related to service, including an in-service head injury.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, and left knee disability. Service connection for asthma is remanded due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners. The claim for a separate rating for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, were denied service connection. The Board found that the conditions did not manifest to a compensable degree in service or within the applicable presumptive period.,There is no evidence of arthritis in the knees during service, and continuity of symptomatology was not established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral knee disability due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or authorization, and a new VA examination will be scheduled.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee disorder, left elbow disorder, and left thumb disorder as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The appeal is also remanded for further examination regarding a left thumb disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as they do not prevent him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for increased ratings for left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, and bilateral wrist conditions are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them during his hearing. The claims for increased rating for status post left knee replacement and neck condition are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, and left knee disabilities claimed as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disability is granted. The claims for increased rating of left knee disability, service connection for right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and kidney disease are all remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability and has remanded his claim for secondary service connection for a left elbow disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for degenerative arthritic changes of the right knee and traumatic osteoarthropathy of the postoperative right knee, as well as the claim for service connection for left knee strain. The Veteran needs a new examination to evaluate his current condition and determine if there is any link between his left knee strain and his service-connected right knee.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee condition. The claims for back disability and left ankle condition are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the thoracolumbar spine, both claimed as secondary to knee disabilities. The Veteran's right knee disability was already service-connected.,For a scar on the right knee, the Veteran received a 10 percent evaluation initially in May 2012.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine are caused by his service-connected right knee instability and degenerative arthritis.,There is at least a reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is caused by his service-connected right knee instability and degenerative arthritis. The evidence is approximately evenly balanced on this issue.,The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by his service-connected right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a claim based on an undiagnosed Gulf War illness and that the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions are attributable to known clinical diagnoses.,Service connection was also denied for a right knee condition, as there is no in-service injury or disease linked to the current condition. The Board found that the right knee condition is not proximately due to, or aggravated by, service-connected left knee disability and/or low back disorder.,Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was granted based on evidence showing it began during service.,Service connection for Barrett’s esophagus was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis that can be linked to service.,Prostate cancer was denied as the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine disability, bilateral ankle and foot disabilities, have rendered her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants TDIU effective March 17, 2013, and dismisses the remaining claims.