Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's low back condition, bilateral knee conditions, and muscle condition were not shown to be related to his period of honorable active duty service.,There is no evidence of a current disability for hypertension or an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Board has vacated its October 2017 decision and found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, to include arthritis, is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability underwent an increase in severity during service and is considered to be aggravated by that service. The Veteran has a history of pneumothorax, which may have contributed to his hearing loss. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability and cervicogenic headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated based on their underlying conditions, with the left knee receiving a higher rating due to its post-arthroscopy status. The right knee has received a lower rating as it is not post-arthroscopy.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the effective date for service connection of PTSD could not be earlier than September 26, 2008.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5260 for limitation of flexion. The TDIU claim is granted as the service-connected disabilities preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his right knee degenerative changes, status post ACL reconstruction, was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is found to have started during service and continues today, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, but denied service connection for neck and low back disabilities on the basis that they are not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's bilateral knee retropatellar pain syndrome has been rated at 10 percent since June 3, 2009. The effective date for TDIU due to service-connected disability is granted as of June 3, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability warrants a rating of 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5055. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for an increased rating as his condition does not include severe painful motion or weakness, extension limited to 30 degrees or more, ankylosis, or tibial or fibular impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Veteran is granted clothing allowances for her bilateral knee braces and back brace due to the wear and tear they cause to her clothes, as determined by the Board after considering the Veteran's personal observations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination in a previous decision.

The Veteran's hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.,The Veteran's bilateral knee condition is not etiologically related to active duty service.,The criteria for service connection for PTSD have not been met due to lack of corroborated stressor.,The Veteran's insomnia is not etiologically related to service and has been contemplated in the rating for his service-connected Anxiety and Alcohol Disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined and will be addressed after the rating assignment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, to include as secondary to left knee patellar tendonitis, is granted. The examiner will provide an opinion on the nature and likely etiology of any current right knee disability.

The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits, as his medical problems do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.