Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and has reopened the claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, back pain, neck pain, bilateral knee pain, alopecia areata, and hearing loss on a new and material basis. The Veteran's CFS claim is denied as there is no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board denied service connection for his right ankle strain.

The Veteran's claims for increases in ratings for his low back and left knee disabilities are denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either disability at any time.

The Veteran's sciatica of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent since December 4, 2014. His patellofemoral syndrome of the left and right knees are both rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating and TDIU was denied. The claim for retroactive effective date for the grant of service connection for left knee strain/sprain is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional examinations. The appeals are now pending again.

The Board has remanded the issue of an annual clothing allowance due to wear and tear on clothing caused by service-connected back and knee disabilities. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining a medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for low back and right knee disabilities as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptoms since service, and the medical opinions were against a link to service.

The Veteran's current depression is caused by his active duty service and he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for extraschedular ratings for his bilateral knee disability and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as his claim for TDIU due to his failure to attend VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his current knee, ankle, foot, hand, finger, and wrist disabilities. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to assess the relationship between any kidney disability and service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,Service connection for hypertension is denied because there is no evidence showing the condition began during service, and the one-year presumptive period has expired. The Veteran's claim based on ischemic heart disease as a pre-condition also fails.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not granted service connection due to lack of in-service onset or relationship to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease (myocardial infarction) is denied because the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7006.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for an adjustment disorder with anxiety is granted, and a TDIU is also granted. The appeal is granted to these extents.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased evaluations have been dismissed.,The claim to reopen the right knee disorder has been granted, but service connection is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disability (dementia), liver disease, and prostate cancer. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were related to his active service.,There was no indication of onset during service or causation due to in-service activities such as climbing, jumping, and physical duties.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development, including scheduling of VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The issues on appeal include service connection for various orthopedic, respiratory, psychiatric, and dermatological conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues including increased ratings and new evidence claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and initial disability ratings for his left knee disorder. The Board found no evidence of current or past psychiatric disorders, and concluded that any symptoms were not related to military service.,For the left knee disorder, the Board determined there was no evidence of instability or limitation of motion beyond what is already accounted for by the existing 10% ratings.

The Veteran's low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders (right and left), and tinnitus are all related to his active service.,Service connection is granted for a low back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and tinnitus.